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A    SELECTION 


FROM 


THE    BOOK   OF    PSALMS, 


SCHOOL  AND  FAMILY  USE. 


ARRANGED 


REV.  DR.  M,  MIELZINER. 


Published  by 
The  Hebrew  Sabbath- School  Union  of  America. 


1888. 

PROM  THE  AMERICAN   HEBREW  PRINTING  HOUSK, 

THE  BLOCH  PUBLISHING  AND  PRINTING  COMPANY, 
CINCINNATI,  O. 


S 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  Book  of  Psalms,  also  called  the  Psalter,  forms  a  part  of  the 
Sacred  Scripture,  and  contains  a  collection  of  150  religious  and  devo- 
tional poems,  composed  by  sacred  bards  belonging  to  different  periods 
of  Israel's  ancient  history.  The  Hebrew  name  of  this  collection  is 
Tehillim,  the  book  of  hymns,  or  songs  of  praise.  This  appellation,  how- 
ever, applies  to  a  part  only  of  the  songs  contained  in  this  book,  as 
many  of  them  belong  to  a  different  character  of  religious  poetry.  The 
word  Psalm,  derived  from  a  Greek  word  meaning  to  play  on  a  stringed 
instrument,  is  the  translation  of  the  Hebrew  Mizmor,  which  is  found 
in  the  heading  of  fifty-six  psalms,  and  signifies  a  song  to  be  accom- 
panied by  a  musical  instrument. 

In  our  Hebrew  Bible  the  Book  of  Psalms  is  divided  into  five  great 
divisions,  or  books,  corresponding  to  the  five  divisions  of  the  Penta- 
teuch. The  first  book  contains  forty-one  psalms  j  the  second  thirty- 
one  (xlii.-lxxii.) ;  the  third  seventeen  (Ixxiii.-lxxxix.) ;  the  fourth  sev- 
enteen (xc.-cvi.);  and  the  fifth  forty-four  psalms  (cvii-cl.).  Each 
closing  psalm  in  these  divisions  ends  with  a  special  doxology  (praise 
to  God) ;  the  first  three  with  a  double  Amen  and  the  last  two  with  Hal- 
lelujah. 

The  five  divisions  appear  to  represent  five  successive  compilations 
of  the  psalms.  This  is  evident  from  the  circumstance  that  to  the  clos- 
ing psalm  of  the  second  book  the  words  are  added :  "  The  prayers  of 
David,  the  son  of  Jesse,  are  ended."  This  statement  shows  that  the 
compiler  supposed  that  no  more  psalms  of  David  were  extant,  although 
the  following  three  books  contain  eighteen  other  psalms, which,  accord- 
ing to  their  headings,  are  ascribed  to  that  royal  bard.  When  and  by 
whom  the  single  compilations  of  the  psalms  and  their  final  collection 
into  one  book  have  been  made,  can  not  be  stated. 

CLASSIFICATION  OF  THE  PSALMS. 

Some  of  the  Psalms  were  spontaneous  effusions  of  the  poetic  mind 
and  heart,  occasioned  by  reflections  on  personal  or  national  circum- 

442816 


n.  INTRODUCTION. 

stances;  others  were  composed  for  the  express  purpose  of  being  used 
at  the  public  worship  in  the  temple. 
In  regard  to  their  contents,  the  Psalms  may  be  divided  into : 

1.  Hymns  in  praise  of  God,  glorifying  Him  either  generally  as  God  of 

nature  and  of  man  (f.  ex.,  Ps.  viii. ;  civ. ;  cxlv.) ;  or  as  God  of 
nature  and  the  protector,  deliverer  and  law-giver  of  Israel  (f.  ex., 
r»s.  xxix. ;  xxxiii. ;  cxlvii. ;  cxlviii ). 

2.  Prayers  for  Divine  help  and  protection  under  personal  or  national 

afflictions,  or  for  merciful  forgiveness  of  sins  (f.  ex.,  Ps.  vi. ; 
xvii. ;  xxxviii. ;  li. ;  Ixxxvi. ;  cxxx.). 

3.  Psalms  of  Thanksgiving  for  deliverance  from  distress  or  for  Divine 

mercies  in  general  (f.  ex.,  Ps.  xxx. ;  xxxiv. ;  xlvi. ;  cxvi.). 

4.  Religious  Songs  in  general,  as  odes  to  God  and  reflections  on  his 

Divine  attributes  (Ps.  xc. ;  cxxxix.) ;  expressions  of  religious 
sentiments  and  convictions,  confidence,  hope,  submission  (Ps. 
xxiii. ;  xxvii. ;  xci. ;  cxxi.) ;  longing  for  the  worship  of  God  in 
his  temple  (Ps.  xlii. ;  Ixxxiv,). 

6.  Didactic  Poems  on  the  condition  of  the  pious  and  the  godless  (Ps. 
i. ;  xxxvii. ;  xlix. ;  Ixxiii. ;  cxii.) ;  on  the  true  mode  of  serving 
God  (Ps.  1.) ;  on  the  way  to  forgiveness  of  sins  (Ps.  xxxii.). 

6.  Historical  and  National  Psalms,  containing  allusions  to  certain  events 
in  the  ancient  history  of  Israel  and  to  the  Divine  guidance  mani- 
fested therein,  as  well  as  to  the  warnings  and  admonitions  to  be 
derived  therefrom  (Ps.  Ixxviii. ;  Ixxxi. ;  Ixxxv. ;  cxiv. ;  cxxvi. ; 
cxxix.).  Hereto  may  be  added  also  those  Psalms  which  have  spe- 
cial allusions  to  certain  Kings  of  Israel  (Ps.  ii. ;  xx. ;  xlv. ;  Ixxii.) ; 
or  to  Jerusalem  and  Zion  (xlviii. ;  Ixxxvii, ;  cxxii. ;  cxxxii.). 

TITLES  OP  THE  PSALMS. 

Most  of  the  Psalms  are,  in  the  Bible,  provided  with  a  title  or  inscrip- 
tion, which  in  general  indicates  the  author  to  whom  that  Psalm  is 
ascribed ;  in  some  instances  also  the  supposed  occasion  on  which  it  was 
composed,  as,  f.  e.,  Ps.  v.,  "  A  Psalm  of  David,  when  he  fled  from  his 
son  Absalom."  In  some  Psalms  such  a  title  is  preceded  by  "  For  the 
Chief  Musician,"  indicating  that  this  Psalm  was  committed  to  the 


INTRODUCTION.  in. 

chief  of  the  temple  singers,  to  set  it  Co  appropriate  music.  Sometimes 
the  title  designates  also  the  character  of  the  Psalm,  the  style  of  its 
poetry,  or  the  instrument  with  which  it  was  to  be  accompanied,  or  the 
tune  which  was  to  be  sung,  as  ia  Ps.  viii.,  "  For  the  Chief  Musician  ; 
on  the  Gittith;  a  Psalm  of  David; "  or  in  Ps.  xlvi.,  "For  the  Chief 
Musician ;  of  the  sons  of  Korah ;  set  to  Alamoth ;  a  Song." 

These  titles,  though  undoubtedly  of  great  antiquity^  are  not  sup- 
posed to  have  been  prefixed  by  the  authors  themselves,  but  rather  by 
the  compilers.*  Only  thirty-four  Psalms  are  without  titles. 

AUTHORS  OF  THE  PSALMS. 

In  the  inscriptions  just  mentioned  the  following  authors  of  Psalms 
are  named : 

1.  Moaes,  as  the  author  of  Ps.  xc.  only. 

2.  David,  as  author  of  seventy-three  Psalms. 

3.  Solomon,  to  whom  two  Psalms  (Ixxii.  and  cxxvii.)  are  ascribed. 

4.  Asaph,  who  was  a  poet  and  Chief  of  Choirs  in  the  time  of  David, 

is  mentioned  as  author  of  twelve  Psalms  (1.  andlxxiii.-lxxxiii.). 
Some  of  these  Psalms,  however,  belong  probably  to  his  descend- 
ants, who  were  temple  singers  in  the  time  of  Ezra. 

5.  The  Sons  of  Korah,  a  Levitical  family  of  singers,  to  whom  eleven 

Psalms  are  ascribed  (xlii.-xlix. ;  Ixxxiv. ;  Ixxxv. ;  Ixxxvii.). 

6.  Neman,  the  Ezrahite,  whose  name  occurs  in  the  title  of  only  one 

Psalm  (Ixxxviii.),  in  connection  with  the  singer  family  of  the 
Sons  of  Korah. 

7.  Ethan,  the  Ezrahite,  probably  belonging  to  the  same  family,  is 

mentioned  as  author  of  one  Psalm  (Ixxxix.). 


*  As  it  is  very  difficult  to  explain  the  meaning  of  many  of  these  titles,  especially 
those  referring  to  the  musical  performance,  and,  as  they  are  not  at  all  necessary  for 
the  understanding  of  the  Psalms  to  which  they  are  prefixed,  we  have  omitted  them 
in  the  present "  Selections  from  the  Book  of  Psalms,"  and  retained  only  the  titles 
referring  to  the  traditional  authors. 

In  this  connection  it  may  also  be  proper  to  state  that  the  heading  printed  in  Italics 
over  each  Psalm  in  this  collection,  and  indicating  its  general  contents,  are  not  found 
In  the  He  brew  Bible,  and  have  been  added  by  us,  according  to  the  best  commen- 
taries. 


iv.  INTRODUCTION. 

:  From  the  aboveit  will  be  seen  that  the  authorship  of  the  greatest  num- 
ber of  those  Psalms  which  bear  a  title  is  credited  to  David.  There  can  be 
no  doubt  that  this  royal  bard,  who  elsewhere  in  Scripture  is  called  the 
Sweet  Psalmist  of  Israel,  did  compose  most  of  the  Psalms  ascribed  to 
him,  and,  perhaps  also  some  of  those  which  have  no  titles.  But  several 
titles  of  Psalms  bearing  the  name  of  David,  or  of  Solomon  and  Asaph, 
can  not  well  be  authentic,  since  those  Psalms  contain  allusions  to 
events  and  circumstances  belonging  to  a  later  period  of  Jewish  his- 
tory. The  authors  of  those  and  of  the  anonymous  Psalms  can  not-  be 
ascertained.  Some  of  them  evidently  belonged  to  the  period  of  the 
Kings  after  David,  some  to  that  of  the  Babylonian  captivity,  and  some 
to  the  time  after  the  return  from  that  captivity. 

POETIC  POEM  OF  THE  PSALMS. 

All  the  Psalms  giving  expression  to  emotions  and  aspirations  of  the 
heart  are  composed  in  poetic  language  which  is  characterized  by  the  fre- 
quent use  of  figures,  similes,  metaphors  and  personifications.  In  regard 
to  the  form  of  verses,  the  poetry  of  the  Psalms,  like  ancient  Hebrew 
poetry  in  general,  has  no  rhyme,  nor  a  meter  of  long  and  short  syl- 
lables, but  instead  of  both  it  has  a  peculiar  feature  which  is  called 
parallelism.  It  consists  in  this,  that  a  verse  is  divided  into  parts  or 
lines,  generally  two,  but  sometimes  three  or  four,  and  these  lines,  con- 
taining in  the  original  almost  an  equal  number  of  words,  correspond 
to  each  other  in  different  ways,  so  that  either  one  line,  with  slight  modi- 
fications, expresses  the  same  sentiment  as  the  other,  or  it  expresses 
something  in  contrast  with  the  other,  or  the  second  line  completes 
or  continues  the  thought  of  the  former.  The  following  examples  may 
illustrate  this : 

"  The  heavens  declare  the  glory  of  God, 
And  the  firmament  showeth  his  handiwork." 

Here  the  second  line  is  almost  identical  in  meaning  with  the  first. 

"  In  the  morning  it  flourisheth  and  shooteth  up, 
And  in  the  evening  it  is  cut  down  and  withered," 

Here  the  second  line  forms  a  contrast  with  the  first. 


INTRODUCTION.  v. 

Of  the  different  ways  in  which  the  two  lines  complete  each  other, 
one  example  may  be  given  in  which  one  line  contains  a  simile  to  the 
thought  expressed  in  the  other : 

"  As  the  hart  panteth  after  the  water  brook, 
So  panteth  my  soul  after  Thee,  OGod." 

The  same  correspondence  as  between  two  lines  is  also  found  when 
the  verse  is  divided  into  three  or  four  lines,  as : 

"  A  thousand  shall  fall  by  thy  side, 
And  ten  thousand  at  thy  right  hand; 
But  Thee  it  shall  not  touch. ' ' 

Here  the  first  two  lines  are  synonymous,  while  the  third  forms  a 
contrast  to  both  of  them.  Or : 

"  Though  a  host  should  encamp  against  me, 
My  heart  shall  not  fear; 
Though  war  should  rise  against  me, 
Even  then  will  I  be  confident." 

In  this  four-line  verse  the  first  line  corresponds  with  the  third,  and 
the  second  with  the  fourth,  while  the  second  forms  a  contrast  to  the 
first  and  the  fourth  to  the  third. 

By  this  parallelism,  which  admits  of  a  great  variety  of  combinations, 
Hebrew  poetry  has  a  peculiar  rhythm,  not  of  measured  feet  and  syl- 
ables,  but  a  rhythm  of  thought  and  sentiment. 

VALUE  OP  THE  PSALMS. 

Even  if  viewed  simply  as  poetical  productions,  the  Psalms  have  a 
great  value  as  remnants  of  the  lyric  poetry  of  Hebrew  antiquity.  Some 
of  these  Psalms  are  so  sublime  in  their  sentiment  and  so  full  of  beauty 
and  charm  in  their  expressions  as  to  be  deservedly  counted  among  the 
most  precious  gems  of  all  human  poetry. 

But  the  principal  value  of  the  Psalms  arises  from  their  exquisite 
adaptation  to  the  devotional  purposes  of  the  individual  as  well  as  the 
congregational  worship  of  the  Supreme  Being.  The  emotions  and  ex- 
periences which  prompted  the  sacred  bards  of  ancient  Israel  to  sing 
these  Psalms  are  still  the  emotions  and  experiences  of  every  pious 
heart.  How  varied  are  the  feelings  to  which  these  Psalms  give  ex- 
pression !  Sorrow,  grief,  fear,  remorse,  penitence,  hope,  confidence, 


vi.  INTRODUCTION. 

gratitude,  love,  joy,  admiration — whatever  moves  and  elevates  and 
soothes  the  human  heart  is  expressed  in  them.  It  has  been  properly 
remarked  that  there  is  scarcely  a  circumstance  in  human  life  in  which 
one  may  not  repair  to  the  Psalms  and  find  in  them  something  appro- 
priate to  his  situation  and  to  his  frame  of  mind. 

It  is  therefore  that  the  Book  of  Psalms  has  become  so  endeared  to 
religious  hearts  in  all  generations,  and  that  so  many  of  those  songs 
which  more  than  two  or  three  thousand  years  ago  came  from  the  sacred 
lyre  of  Israel's  bards  and  resounded  in  the  temple  of  Jerusalem, 
still,  until  this  day,  hold  their  place  in  the  devotional  services,  not 
only  of  our  synagogues  and  temples,  but  also  of  the  different  denomina- 
tions of  the  Church. 

To  make  our  rising  generation  acquainted  with  a  choice  selection 
from  these  precious  songs  is  the  object  of  the  present  little  volume, 
which  is  published  under  the  auspices  of  the  Hebrew  Sabbath  School 
Union  of  America.  DR.  M.  MIELZINER. 


THE    PSALMS. 


1.  PSALM  I. 

The  happiness  of  the  righteous  and  the  doom  of  the  wicked. 

1  HAPPY  is  the  man  who  walketh  not  in  the  counsel  of  the 

wicked, 

Nor  standeth  in  the  way  of  sinners, 
Nor  sitteth  in  the  seat  of  scoffers ; 

2  But  whose  delight  is  in  the  law  of  the  LORD  ; 
And  in  his  law  he  meditateth  day  and  night. 

3  He  shall  he  like  a  tree  planted  by  the  streams  of  water, 
That  bringeth  forth  its  fruit  in  its  season, 

Whose  leaf  also  doth  not  wither : 
And  all  that  he  doeth  shall  prosper. 

4  Not  so  the  wicked ; 

But  they  are  like  the  chaff  which  the  wind  driveth  away. 

5  Therefore  the  wicked  shall  not  stand  in  the  judgment, 
Nor  sinners  in  the  congregation  of  the  righteous. 

6  For  the  LORD  knoweth  the  way  of  the  righteous ; 
But  the  way  of  the  wicked  leadeth  to  ruin. 

«.  PSALM  VIII. 

The  glory  of  Ood  and  the  dignity  of  man* 
A  Psalm  of  David. 

1  Eternal  God,  our  Lord ! 
How  excellent  is  thy  name  in  all  the  earth  I 
Thou  who  hast  set  thy  glory  above  the  heavens. 


8  THE  PSALMS. 


2  Out  biP  th'e'  moruth '  of  children   and   sucklings  hast  thou 

founded  a  power, 
Because  of  thine  adversaries, 
To  silence  the  enemy  and  the  revengeful.* 

3  When  I  consider  the  heavens,  the  work  of  thy  fingers, 
The  moon  and  the  stars  which  thou  hast  ordained  : — 

4  What  is  man  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him, 
And  the  son  of  man  that  thou  carest  for  him? 

5  Yet  thou  hast  made  him  a  little  less  than  divine, 
And  hast  crowned  him  with  glory  and  honor. 

6  Thou  hast  given  him  dominion  over  the  works  of  thy  hands ; 
Thou  hast  put  all  things  under  his  feet : — 

7  All  sheep  and  oxen, 

Yea,  and  the  beasts  of  the  field ; 

8  The  fowl  of  the  air  and  the  fish  of  the  sea, 
Whatsoever  passeth  through  the  paths  of  the  seas. 

9  Eternal  God,  our  Lord, 

How  excellent  is  thy  name  in  all  the  earth ! 


3.  PSALM  XV. 

The  qualifications  of  a  true  worshiper. 
A  Psalm  of  David. 

1  LORD,  who  shall  sojourn  in  thy  tabernacle? 
Who  shall  dwell  upon  thy  holy  hill? 

2  He  that  walketh  uprightly,  and  doeth  righteousness, 
And  speaketh  truth  in  his  heart. 


*The  meaning  of  this  verse  appears  to  be  that  every  coming  generation  ("  chil- 
dren and  sucklings")  will  be  impressed  by  the  greatness  and  beauty  of  God's  world 
and  always  anew  bear  witness  to  the  power  and  glory  of  the  Creator,  thus  silencing 
biB  "  adversaries  "  and  "  enemies  "—namely,  those  who  deny  God. 


PSALMS. 


3  He  that  slandereth  not  with  his  tongue, 
Nor  doeth  injury  to  his  neighbor, 

Nor  uttereth  a  reproach  against  his  friend. 

4  In  whose  eyes  a  vile  person  is  despised ; 
But  who  honoreth  them  "that  fear  the  LORD. 

He  that  sweareth  to  his  own  hurt,  and  changeth  not. 

5  He  that  lendeth  not  his  money  for  usury, 
Nor  taketh  a  bribe  against  the  innocent. 

He  that  doeth  these  things  shall  never  be  moved. 


4.  PSALM  XVI. 

Reliance  upon  God  alone;  satisfaction  with  his  blessings  and  rejoicing  hope 
of  future  protection  and  favor. 

A  Psalm  of  David. 

1  Preserve  me,  0  God  I  for  in  thee  do  I  put  my  trust. 

2  I  have  said  unto  the  LORD,  thou  art  my  Lord  ; 
I  have  no  happiness  beyond  thee ! 

3  The  holy  that  are  in  the  land,— 

They  are  the  excellent  in  whom  is  all  my  delight. 

4  They  who  hasten  after  other  gods  have  many  sorrows ; 
Their  drink-offerings  of  blood  will  I  not  offer, 

Nor  take  their  names  upon  my  lips. 

5  The  LORD  is  the  portion  of  mine  inheritance  and  of  my  cup ; 
Thou  wilt  maintain  my  lot ! 

6  The  lines  are  fallen  unto  me  in  pleasant  places  ; 
Yea,  I  have  a  goodly  heritage. 

7  I  will  bless  the  LORD,  who  hath  given  me  counsel  ; 
Yea,  my  heart  admonisheth  me  in  the  night. 

8  I  have  set  the  LORD  always  before  me ; 
Because  he  is  at  my  right  hand,  I  shall  not  fall. 

9  Therefore  my  heart  is  glad,  and  my  spirit  rejoiceth; 
My  flesh  also  dwelleth  in  safety. 


10  THE   PSALMS. 


10  For  thou  wilt  not  give  me  up  to  the  grave : 

Nor  wilt  thou  suffer  thy  pious  servant  to  see  destruction. 

11  Thou  wilt  show  me  the  path  of  life ; 
In  thy  presence  is  fullness  of  joy  : 

In  thy  right  hand  there  are  pleasures  for  evermore. 


5.  PSALM  XIX. 

The  glory  of  Ood  manifested  in  the  creation,  and  in  the  law  given  to  man. 
Prayer  for  forgiveness  and  deliverance  from  temptation. 

A  Psalm  of  David. 

1  The  heavens  declare  the  glory  of  God ; 
And  the  firmament  showeth  his  handiwork. 

2  Day  unto  day  uttereth  speech, 

And  night  unto  night  showeth  knowledge, 

3  There  is  no  speech  nor  language ; 
Their  voice  can  not  be  heard. 

4  Yet  their  sound  goeth  forth  to  all  the  earth. 
And  their  words  to  the  end  of  the  world. 

In  them  hath  he  set  a  tabernacle  for  the  sun, 

5  Which  cometh  forth  like  a  bridegroom  from  his  chamber, 
And  rejoiceth,  like  a  strong  man,  to  run  his  course. 

6  His  going  forth  is  from  the  end  of  the  heaven, 
And  his  circuit  unto  the  ends  of  it  : 

And  there  is  nothing  hid  from  his  heat. 

7  The  law  of  the  LORD  is  perfect,  reviving  the  soul : 

The  testimony  of  the  LORD  is  sure,  making  wise  the  simple. 

8  The  precepts  of  the  LORD  are  right,  rejoicing  the  heart : 
The  commandment  of  the  LORD  is  pure,  enlightening  the 

eyes. 

9  The  fear  of  the  LORD  is  clean,  enduring  forever  : 

The  judgments  of  the  LORD  are  true,  and  righteous  alto 
gether. 


THE   PSALMS.  11 


10  More  to  be  desired  are  they  than  gold,  yea,  than  much  fine 

gold: 
Sweeter  also  than  honey  and  the  honeycomb. 

11  Moreover  by  them  is  thy  servant  warned : 
In  keeping  of  them  there  is  great  reward. 

12  Who  can  discern  his  errors? 
Clear  thou  me  from  hidden  faults  ! 

13  Keep  back  thy  servant  also  from  presumptuous  sins  ; 

Let  them  not  have  dominion  over  me :  then  shall   I  be 

perfect, 
And  I  shall  be  clear  from  great  transgression. 

14  May  the  words  of  my  mouth  and  the  meditation  of  my 

•     heart  be  acceptable  in  thy  sight, 
O  LORD,  my  rock,  and  my  redeemer  I 


6.  PSALM  XXIII. 

Confidence  in  Qod's  graceful  care  and  protection. 
A  Psalm  of  David. 

1  The  LORD  is  my  shepherd ;  I  shall  not  want. 

2  He  maketh  me  to  lie  down  in  green  pastures : 
He  leadeth  me  beside  the  still  waters. 

3  He  reviveth  my  soul : 

He  guideth  me  in  the  paths  of  righteousness  for  his  name's 
sake. 

4  Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of 

death, 

I  will  fear  no  evil ;  for  thou  art  with  me  : 
Thy  rod  and  thy  staff  they  comfort  me. 

5  Thou  preparest  a  table  before  me  in  the  presence  of  mine 

enemies : 
Thou  hast  anointed  my  head  with  oil ;  my  cup  runneth  over. 


12  THE  PSALMS 


6  Surely  goodness  and  mercy  shall  follow  me  all  the  days  of 

my  life : 
And  I  will  dwell  in  the  house  of  the  LORD  forever. 

7.  PSALM  XXIV. 

Hymn,  on  the  occasion  of  introducing  the  ark  of  covenant  into  the  sanctuary. 

A  Psalm  of  David 

1  The  earth  is  the  LORD'S,  and  the  fullness  thereof; 
The  world,  and  they  that  dwell  therein. 

2  For  he  hath  founded  it  upon  the  seas, 
And  established  it  upon  the  floods. 

3  Who  shall  ascend  the  hill  of  the  LORD? 
And  who  shall  stand  in  his  holy  plac  ^? 

4  He  that  hath  clean  hands,  and  a  pure  heart ; 
Who  hath  not  lifted  up  his  soul  unto  vanity, 
And  hath  not  sworn  deceitfully. 

6  He  shall  receive  a  blessing  from  the  LORD, 
And  righteousness  from  the  God  of  his  salvation. 

6  This  is  the  generation  of  them  that  seek  him, 

That  seek  thy  face,  0  God  of  Jacob !  [Selah.*] 

7  Lift  up  your  heads,  O  ye  gates ; 

And  be  -ye  lift  up,  ye  everlasting  doors : 
And  the  King  of  glory  shall  come  in ! 

8  "  Who  is  this  King  of  glory?  " 
The  LORD  strong  and  mighty, 
The  -LORD  mighty  in  battle. 

9  Lift  up  your  heads,  O  ye  gates  ; 

Yea,  lift  them  up,  ye  everlasting  doors : 
And-  the  King  of  glory  shall  come  ! 
10  "  Who  is  this  King  of  glory?  " 
The  LORD  of  hosts, 
He  is  the  King  of  glory.  [Selah.] 

*The  word  Selah  occurring  in  this  and  in  many  other  Psalms  is  Hebrew,  and 
supposed  to  be  a  sign  denoting  a  pause,  or  a  change  of  tune  in  the  musical  per- 
formance of  the  song. 


THE  PSALMS.  18 


S.  PSALM  XXVII. 

At  a  time  of  distress,  the  psalmist  expresses  his  confidence  in  God,  and  his 

desire  for  his  temple.     He  then  prays  for  relief  in  his  desolate 

condition  and  trusts  that  he  shall  obtain  it. 

Of  David. 

1  The  LORD  is  my  light  and  my  salvation ; 

whom  shall  I  fear? 
The  LORD  is  the  strength  of  my  life ; 
of  whom  shall  I  be  afraid? 

2  When  evil-doers  came  upon  me  to  devour  me, 
Even  mine  adversaries  and  my  foes, 

they  stumbled  and  fell. 

3  Though  a  host  should  encamp  against  me, 

my  heart  shall  not  fear ; 
Though  war  should  rise  against  me, 
even  then  will  I  be  confident. 

4  One  thing  have  I  asked  of  the  LORD, 

that  do  I  desire  : 
That  I  may  dwell  in  the  house  of  the  LORD 

all  the  days  of  my  life, 
To  behold  the  grace  of  the  LORD, 

and  to  inquire  in  his  temple. 

5  For  he  shall  hide  me  in  his  pavilion 

on  the  day  of  trouble. 

In  the  shelter  of  his  tabernacle  shall  he  conceal  me ; 
upon  a  rock  shall  he  lift  me  up. 

6  And  now  shall  my  head  be  lifted  up 

above  mine  enemies  round  about  me, 
And  I  will  offer  in  his  tabernacle  sacrifices  of  joy ; 
I  will  sing  and  play  the  harp  to  the  LORD. 

7  Hear  my  voice,  O  LORD  I  when  I  cry  unto  thee ; 
Have  mercy  upon  me,  and  answer  me  ! 

8  When  thou  saidst,  Seek  ye  my  face  !  my  heart  said  unto  thee  : 
Thy  face,  LORD,  will  I  seek. 


14  THE  PSALMS. 


9  Hide  not  thy  face  from  me ; 

Put  not  thy  servant  away  in  anger  : 

Thou  hast  been  my  help ; 

Cast  me  not  off,  neither  forsake  me,  O  God  of  my  salvation  ! 

10  For  my  father  and  my  mother  have  forsaken  me, 
But  the  LORD  will  take  me  up. 

11  Teach  me  thy  way,  0  LORD  ! 
And  lead  me  in  a  plain  path, 
Because  of  mine  enemies  I 

12  Deliver  me  not  over  unto  the  will  of  mine  adversaries  ! 
For  false  witnesses  are  risen  up  against  me,  and  such  as 

breathe  out  cruelty. 

13  I  had  fainted,  unless  I  had  believed  to  see  the  goodness  of 

the  LORD 
In  the  land  of  the  living. 

14  Hope  thou  in  the  LORD  ! 

Be  strong,  and  let  thy  heart  take  courage ; 
Yea,  hope  thou  in  the  LORD  ! 


9.  PSALM  XXIX. 

The  glory  of  God,  as  manifested  in  a  thunder-storm. 
A  Psalm  of  David. 

1  Give  unto  the  LORD,  O  ye  sons  of  the  mighty  I 
Give  unto  the  LORD  glory  and  strength ! 

2  Give  unto  the  LORD  the  glory  due  unto  his  name ; 
Worship  the  LORD  in  the  beauty  of  holiness  ! 

3  The  voice  of  the  LORD  is  heard  above  the  waters : 
The  God  of  glory  thundereth — 

Even  the  LORD  above  the  great  waters. 

4  The  voice  of  the  LORD  is  powerful ; 
The  voice  of  the  LORD  is  full  of  majesty. 


THE  PSALMS.  15 


5  The  voice  of  the  LORD  breaketh  the  cedars; 

Yea,  the  LORD  breaketh  in  pieces  the  cedars  of  Lebanon. 

6  He  maketh  them  also  to  skip  like  a  calf; 
Lebanon  and  Sirion  like  a  young  buffalo. 

7  The  voice  of  the  LORD  cleaveth  the  flames  of  fire. 

8  The  voice  of  the  LORD  shaketh  the  wilderness ; 
The  LORD  shaketh  the  wilderness  of  Kadesh. 

9  The  voice  of  the  LORD  causeth  the  hinds  to  start, 
And  strippeth  the  forests  bare ; — 

While,  in  his  temple,  everything  saith,  Glory ! 

10  The  LORD  sat  as  King  at  the  Flood ; 
Yea,  the  LORD  sitteth  as. King  forever. 

11  The  LORD  will  give  strength  unto  his  people; 
The  LORD  will  bless  his  people  with  peace. 


1O.  PSALM  XXX. 

Thanksgiving  for  deliverance  from  distress. 
A  Psalm  of  David. 

1  I  will  extol  thee,  O  LORD  !  for  thou  hast  lifted  me  up, 
And  hast  not  suffered  my  foes  to  rejoice  over  me. 

2  O  LORD,  my  God ! 

I  cried  unto  thee,  and  thou  hast  healed  me. 

3  O  LORD  I  thou  hast  raised  me  up  from  the  underworld ; 
Thou  hast  kept  me  alive,  that  I  should  not  go  down  to  the 

pit. 

4  Sing  praise  unto  the  LORD,  O  ye  his  pious  servants, 
And  give  thanks  to  his  holy  name ! 

5  For  his  anger  is  but  for  a  moment ; 
But  his  favor  through  life ; 

In  the  evening  weeping  may  come  to  stay  for  a  night, 
But  in  the  morning  there  is  a  shout  of  joy. 

6  As  for  me,  I  said  in  my  prosperity, 
"I  shall  never  be  moved !  " 


1 6  THE  PSALMS. 


7  Thou,  O  LORD  !  by  thy  favor  hadst  made  my  mountain  to 

stand  strong; 
Thou  didst  hide  thy  face,  and  I  was  troubled. 

8  I  cried  to  thee,  O  LORD  ! 

And  unto  the  LORD  I  made  supplication : 

9  '*  What  profit  is  there  in  my  blood, when  I  go  down  to  the  pit? 
Shall  the  dust  praise  thee?  shall  it  declare  thy  truth? 

10  Hear,  O  LORD,  and  have  mercy  upon  me ! 
LORD  !  be  thou  my  helper !  " 

11  Thou  hast  turned  for  me  my  mourning  into  dancing ; 
Thou  hast  loosed  my  sackcloth,  and  girded  me  with  glad- 
ness: 

12  That  my  soul  may  sing  praise  to  thee,  and  not  be  silent. 
O  LOBD,  my  God !  I  will  give  thanks  unto  thee  forever ! 


11.  PSALM  XXXII. 

The  happiness  of  him  whose  tins  are  forgiven. 
A  Meditation  of  David. 

1  Happy  is  he  whose  transgression  is  forgiven, 

whose  sin  is  covered. 

2  Happy  is  the  man  unto  whom  the  LORD  imputeth  not  in- 

iquity, 
And  in  whose  spirit  there  is  no  guile. 

3  When  I  kept  silence,  my  bones  waxed  old 
Through  my  groaning  all  the  day  long. 

4  For  day  and  night  thy  hand  was  heavy  upon  me  ; 

My  moisture  was  changed  as  in  the  drought  of  summer. 

[Selah.] 
6  I  acknowledged  my  sin  unto  thee,  and  mine  iniquity  have 

I  not  hid : 

I  said,  "  I  will  confess  my  transgressions  unto  the  LORD  ;  " 
And  thou  forgavest  the  iniquity  of  my  sin.  [Selah.] 


THE  PSALMS.  17 


6  For  this  let  every  pious  man  pray  unto  thee  in  a  time  when 

thou  mayest  be  found ; 

Surely  when  the  great  waters  overflow  they  shall  not  reach 
unto  him. 

7  Thou  art  my  hiding  place ;   thou  wilt  preserve  me  fron. 

trouble ; 
Thou  wilt  compass  me  about  with  songs  of  deliverance. 

[Selah.] 

8  I  will  instruct  thee  and  teach  thee  in  the  way  which  thou 

shalt  go ; 
I  will  counsel  thee  with  mine  eye  upon  thee. 

9  Be  ye  not  as  the  horse,  or  as  the  mule,  which  have  no  un- 

derstanding : 

Whose  trappings  must  be  bit  and  bridle  to  hold  them  in, 
Else  they  will  not  come  near  unto  thee. 

10  Many  are  the  sorrows  of  the  wicked ; 

But  he  that  trusteth  in  the  LORD,  mercy  shall  compass  him 
about. 

11  Be  glad  in  the  LORD,  and  rejoice,  ye  righteous  : 
And  shout  for  joy,  all  ye  that  are  upright  in  heart  I 

12.  PSALM  XXXIII. 

A  hymn  to  God  at  the  creator  and  governor  of  the  world,  and  the  pn  * 
tector  of  hit  people, 

\  Rejoice  in  the  LORD,  O  ye  righteous  I 
Praise  is  comely  for  the  upright. 

2  Give  thanks  unto  the  LORD  with  the  harp, 

Sing  praises  unto  him  with  the  ten-stringed  psaltery  1 

3  Sing  unto  him  a  new  song ; 
Play  skillfully  with  a  loud  noise ! 

4  For  the  word  of  the  LORD  is  right ; 
And  all  his  work  is  done  in  faithfulness. 


18  THE  PSALMS. 


5  He  loveth  righteousness  and  justice ; 

The  earth  is  full  of  the  loving  kindness  of  the  LORD. 

6  By  the  word  of  the  LORD  were  the  heavens  made  ; 
And  all  the  host  of  them  by  the  breath  of  his  mouth. 

7  He  gathereth  the  waters  of  the  sea  together  as  an  heap  ; 
He  layeth  up  the  deeps  in  storehouses. 

8  Let  all  the  earth  fear  the  LORD  ; 

Let  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  world  stand  in  awe  of  him, 

9  For  he  spake,  and  it  was  done ; 
He  commanded,  and  it  stood  fast. 

10  The  LORD  bringeth  the  counsel  of  the  nations  to  naught  ; 
He  maketh  the  thoughts  of  the  peoples  to  be  of  none  effect. 

11  The  counsel  of  the  LORD  standeth  fast  for  ever, 
The  thoughts  of  his  heart,  to  all  generations. 

12  Happy  is  the  nation  whose  God  is  the  LORD  ; 

The  people  whom  he  hath  chosen  for  his  own  inheritance. 

13  The  LORD  looketh  from  heaven; 
He  beholdeth  all  the  sons  of  men. 

14  From  the  place  of  his  habitation  he  looketh  forth 
Upon  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth; 

15  He  who  formed  the  hearts  of  them  all, 
He  observeth  all  their  works. 

16  There  is  no  king  saved  by  the  multitude  of  his  forces, 
A  mighty  man  is  not  delivered  by  great  strength. 

17  The  horse  is  a  vain  thing  for  safety, 

Neither  shall  he  deliver  any  by  his  great  power. 

18  Behold,  the  eye  of  the  LORD  is  upon  them  that  fear  him, 
Upon  them  that  trust  in  his  mercy  ; 

19  To  deliver  their  soul  from  death, 
And  to  keep  them  alive  in  famine. 

20  Our  soul  hath  waited  for  the  LORD  ; 
He  is  our  help  and  our  shield. 


THE  PSALMS.  19 


21  For  our  heart  shall  rejoice  in  him, 
Because  we  have  trusted  in  his  holy  name. 

22  Let  then  thy  mercy,  O  LORD  !  be  upon  us, 
According  as  we  hope  in  thee ! 


13.  PSALM  XXXIV. 

Thanksgiving  for  deliverance  from  distress,  and  a  description  of  the  happi- 
ness of  the  good  and  the  misery  of  the  wicked. 

A  Psalm  of  Dayid. 

1  I  will  bless  the  LORD  at  all  times ; 

His  praise  shall  continually  be  in  my  mouth. 

2  My  soul  shall  make  her  boast  in  the  LORD  ; 
The  afflicted  shall  hear  thereof,  and  be  glad. 

3  O  magnify  the  LORD  with  me, 
And  let  us  exalt  his  name  together ! 

4  I  sought  the  LORD,  and  he  answered  me, 
And  delivered  me  from  all  my  fears. 

5  They  who  look  up  to  him,  shall  have  light ; 
And  their  faces  shall  never  be  ashamed. 

6  This  afflicted  man  cried,  and  the  LORD  heard  him. 
And  saved  him  out  of  all  his  troubles. 

7  The  angel  of  the  LORD  encampeth  round  about  them  that 

fear  him, 
And  delivereth  them. 

8  O  taste,  and  see  that  the  LORD  is  good, 
Happy  is  the  man  that  trusteth  in  him ! 

9  O  fear  the  LORD,  ye  his  saints  ! 

For  there  is  no  want  to  them  that  fear  him. 

10  The  young  lions  do  lack,  and  suffer  hunger  ; 

But  they  that  seek  the  LORD  shall  not  want  any  good  tiling. 

11  Come,  ye  children,  hearken  unto  me  ! 
I  will  teach  you  the  fear  of  the  LORD. 


20  THE  PSALMS. 

12  Who  is  he  that  desireth  life, 

And  loveth  many  days,  in  which  he  may  see  good? 

13  Keep  thy  tongue  from  evil, 

And  thy  lips  from  speaking  guile  ! 

14  Depart  from  evil,  and  do  good ; 
Seek  peace,  and  pursue  it ! 

15  The  eyes  of  the  LORD  are  toward  the  righteous, 
And  his  ears  are  open  unto  their  cry. 

16  The  face  of  the  LORD  is  against  them  that  do  evil, 
To  cut  off  their  remembrance  from  the  earth. 

17  The  righteous  cry,  and  the  LORD  heareth, 
And  delivereth  them  from  all  their  troubles. 

18  The  LORD  is  nigh  unto  them  that  are  of  a  broken  heart, 
And  saveth  such  as  be  of  a  contrite  spirit. 

19  Many  are  the  afflictions  of  the  righteous ; 
But  the  LORD  delivereth  him  from  them  all. 

20  He  keepeth  all  his  bones ; 
Not  one  of  them  is  broken. 

21  Evil  destroyeth  the  wicked, 

And  they  that  hate  the  righteous  suffer  for  it. 

22  The  LORD  redeemeth  the  soul  of  his  servants, 
And  none  of  them  that  trust  in  him  shall  suffer. 

14.  PART  OF  PSALM  XXXVI. 

v.  6-13. 
Praising  the  goodness  of  God,  and  praying  for  his  help. 

1  Thy  loving-kindness,  O  Lord !  reaches  to  the  heavens ; 
Thy  faithfulness  unto  the  skies. 

2  Thy  righteousness  is  like  the  high  mountains  ; 
Thy  judgments  are  a  great  deep ; 

O  LORD  !  thou  preservest  man  and  beast. 

3  How  precious  is  thy  loving-kindness,  O  God  ! 

And  the  children  of  men  take  refuge  under  the  shadow  of 
thy  wings. 


THE  PSALMS.  21 


4  They  shall  be  satisfied  with  the  abundance  of  thy  house ; 
And  thou  shalt.  make  them  drink  of  the  full  stream  of  thy 

pleasures. 

5  For  with  thee  is  the  fountain  of  life ; 
Through  thy  light  we  see  light. 

6  O  continue  thy  loving  kindness  unto  them  that  know  thee  ; 
And  thy  righteousness  to  the  upright  in  heart. 

7  Let  not  the  foot  of  pride  come  against  me, 
Nor  the  hand  of  the  wicked  drive  me  away. 

8  Lo  !  already  are  the  workers  of  iniquity  fallen  ; 
They  are  thrust  down,  and  are  unable  to  rise  ! 

15.  PARTS  OF  PSALM  XXXVII. 

(vs.  1-6;  23-24;  35-37.) 

A  Didactic  Poem  on  the  final  reward  of  the  righteous  and  the 
punishment  of  the  wicked. 

Of  David. 

1  Be  not  thou  angry  on  the  account  of  wicked, 
Nor  be  envious  of  those  who  do  iniquity. 

2  For  they  shall  soon  be  cut  down  like  the  grass, 
And  wither  as  the  green  herb. 

3  Trust  in  the  LORD,  and  do  good ; 

Abide  in  the  land,  and  follow  after  faithfulness. 

4  Delight  thyself  also  in  the  LORD  ; 

And  he  shall  give  thee  the  desires  of  thine  hear! 

5  Commit  thy  way  unto  the  LORD  ; 

Trust  in  him,  and  he  will  give  thee  success. 

6  He  will  cause  thy  righteousness  to  shine  forth  like  the  light, 
And  thy  justice  like  the  noonday's  brightness. 

»  *  *  *  *  *  *  *          * 

7  The  steps  of  the  good  man  are  established  by  the  LORD  ; 
And  he  delighteth  in  his  way. 

8  Though  he  fall,  he  shall  not  be  utterly  cast  down, 
For  the  LORD  upholdeth  his  hand. 


22  THE  PSALMS. 


9  I  have  been  young,  and  now  am  old ; 
Yet  have  I  not  seen  the  righteous  forsaken, 
Nor  his  offspring  begging  their  bread. 

10  He  is  ever  merciful,  and  lendeth ; 
And  his  offspring  shall  be  blessed. 

11  Depart  from  evil,  and  do  good, 
And  dwell  for  evermore. 

12  For  the  LORD  loveth  judgment, 
And  forsaketh  not  his  pious  servants. 

13  They  are  preserved  forever ; 

But  the  seed  of  the  wicked  shall  be  cut  off. 
********* 

14  I  have  seen  the  wicked  in  great  power, 

And  spreading  himself  like  a  green  tree  in  its  native  soil. 

15  But  he  passed  away,  and,  lo  1  he  was  no  more ; 
Yea,  I  sought  him,  but  he  could  not  be  found. 

16  Mark  the  perfect  man  and  behold  the  upright : 
For  the  latter  end  of  that  man  is  peace. 


16.  PSALM  XLH. 

An  afflicted  exile  expresses  his  aspiration  after  the  temple  and  worship 

of  God. 
A  Song  of  the  Sons  of  Koran. 

1  As  the  hart  panteth  after  the  water  brooks, 
So  panteth  my  soul  after  thee,  O  God ! 

2  My  soul  thirsteth  for  God,  for  the  living  God : 
When  shall  I  come  to  appear  before  God? 

3  My  tears  have  been  my  food  day  and  night. 

While  they  continually  say  unto  me,  u  Where  is  thy  God?" 

4  When  T  think  of  it,  I  pour  out  my  soul  in  grief, 
How  I  once  walked  with  the  multitude, 
Walked  slowly  with  them  to  the  house  of  God, 

Amid  sounds  of  joy  and  praise,  with  the  festive  multitude  ! 


THE  PSALMS.  23 


5  Why  art  thou  cast  down,  O  my  soul? 
And  why  art  thou  disquieted  within  me? 
Hope  thou  in  God :  for  I  shall  yet  praise  him 
For  the  help  of  his  countenance  ! 

6  O  my  God  !  my  soul  is  cast  down  within  me  : 
Therefore  do  I  remember  thee  from  the  land  of  Jordan, 
And  from  the  summits  of  Hermon,  from  the  low  mount,  * 

7  Deep  calleth  unto  deep  at  the  noise  of  thy  waterfalls ; 
All  thy  waves  and  thy  billows  have  gone  over  me  ! 

8  Yet  the  LORD  will  command  his  loving-kindness  in  the  day- 

time, 

And  in  the  night  his  song  shall  be  with  me, 
Even  a  prayer  unto  the  God  of  my  life. 

9  Now  I  say  unto  God,  my  rock,  Why  hast  thou  forgotten  me? 
Why  go  I  mourning  because  of  the  oppression  of  the 

enemy? 

10  As  with  crushing  in  my  bones,  mine  adversaries  reproach 

me; 
While  they  continually  say  unto  me,  "  Where  is  thy  God?' 

11  Why  art  thou  cast  down,  O  my  soul? 
And  why  art  thou  disquieted  within  me? 
Hope  thou  in  God  :  for  I  shall  yet  praise  him, 
Who  is  the  help  of  my  countenance,  and  my  God ! 

17.  PSALM  XLIIL 

Continuation  of  the  preceding  Song. 

1  Judge  me,  O  God !  and  defend  my  cause  against  an  ungodly 

nation ! 
0  deliver  me  from  deceitful  and  unjust  men ! 

*Hermon  is  a  mountain  on  the  northeastern  border  of  Palestine.  One  of  the 
lower  mounts  in  the  Hermon  range  was  evidently  the  locality  where  the  exiled  poet 
just  sojourned.  From  this  place  he  looks  longingly  toward  his  home,  and  just  as 
there  in  a  strange  land,  the  wild  waters  of  the  mountains  roar  around  him,  there 
seems  to  be  a  corresponding  tumult  in  his  soul,  which  the  following'  verse  describes 


24  THE  PSALMS. 


2  For  thou  art  the  God  of  my  strength ;  why  hast  thou  cast 

me  off? 

Why  go  I  mourning  because  of  the   oppression   of  the 
enemy? 

3  O  send  out  thy  light  and  thy  truth ;  let  them  lead  me  : 
Let  them  hring  me  unto  thy  holy  hill, 

And  to  thy  dwelling  place ! 

4  Then  will  I  go  unto  the  altar  of  God, 
Unto  God,  my  exceeding  joy : 

And  upon  the  harp  will  I  praise  thee,  O  God,  my  God ! 

5  Why  art  thou  cast  down,  0  my  soul? 
And  why  art  thou  disquieted  within  me? 
Hope  thou  in  God :  for  I  shall  yet  praise  him, 
Who  is  the  help  of  my  countenance,  and  my  God  I 

18.  PSALM  XLVL 

Thanksgiving  for  victory  over  enemies,  and  trust  in  God  as  a  refuge  and 
defense  of  his  people. 

A  Song  of  the  Sous  of  Korah. 

1  God  is  our  refuge  and  strength, 
An  ever-present  help  in  trouble. 

2  Therefore  will  we  not  fear,  though  the  earth  do  change, 
And  though  the  mountains  tremble  in  the  heart  of  the  seas  ; 

3  Though  its  waters  roar  and  be  troubled, 

Though  the  mountains  shake  with  the  swelling  thereof. 

[Selah.J 

4  There  is  a  river,  the  streams  whereof  make  glad  the  city  of 

God, 
The  holy  dwelling  place  of  the  Most  High. 

5  God  is  in  the  midst  of  her ;  she  shall  not  be  moved : 
God  shall  help  her,  and  that  right  early. 

6  The  nations  raged ;  kingdoms  were  moved : 
He  uttered  his  voice,  the  earth  melted. 


THE  PSALMS.  25 


7  The  LORD  of  hosts  is  with  us ; 

The  God  of  Jacob  is  our  refuge.  [Selah.] 

8  Come,  behold  the  works  of  the  LORD, 

What  desolations  he  hath  made  in  the  earth ! 

9  He  maketh  wars  to  cease  unto  the  end  of  the  earth ; 
He  breaketh  the  bow,  and  cutteth  the  spear  asunder ; 
He  burneth  the  chariots  in  the  fire. 

10  "  Desist,  and  know  that  I  am  God  : 

I  will  be   exalted  among  the  nations,  I  will  be  exalted 
throughout  the  earth !" 

11  The  LORD  of  hosts  is  with  us  ; 

The  God  of  Jacob  is  our  refuge.  [Selah,] 

19.  PSALM  XLIX. 

A  didactic  poem  on  tlie  conditions  of  the  righteous  and  the  wicked. 
A  Psalm  of  the  Sons  of  Korah. 

1  Hear  this,  all  ye  peoples ; 

Give  ear,  all  ye  inhabitants  of  the  world : 

2  Both  low  and  high, 
Rich  and  poor  together. 

3  My  mouth  shall  speak  wisdom ; 

And  the  meditation  of  my  heart  shall  be  of  understanding. 

4  I  will  incline  mine  ear  to  a  parable ; 

I  will  open  my  dark  saying  upon  the  harp. 

5  Wherefore  should  I  fear  in  the  days  of  evil, 

When  the  iniquity  of  my  adversaries  encompasseth  me? 

6  They  that  trust  in  their  wealth, 

And  glory  in  the  multitude  of  their  riches  ; 

7  None  of  them  can  by  any  means  redeem  his  brother, 
Nor  give  to  God  a  ransom  for  him ; 

8  (For  the  redemption  of  their  life  is  too  costly, 
And  must  be  let  alone  forever :) 


THE  PSALMS. 


9  That  he  should  still  live  alway, 
That  he  should  not  see  the  pit. 

10  For  he  seeth  that  wise  men  die, 

The  fool  and  the  brutish  alike  perish, 
And  leave  their  wealth  to  others. 

11  They  imagine,  that  their  houses  will  endure  forever, 
And  their  dwelling-places  to  all  generations  ; 

They  call  their  lands  after  their  own  names. 

12  But  man  heing  in  honor  abideth  not ; 
He  is  like  the  beasts  that  perish. 

13  This  their  way  is  their  folly; 

Yet  after  them  men  approve  their  sayings.  [Selah.] 

1 4  Like  sheep  they  are  cast  into  the  underworld ; 
Death  shall  feed  upon  them ; 

And  the  upright  shall  have  dominion  over  them  in  the 

morning ; 
Their  form  shall  be  consumed  in  the  underworld,  and  there 

shall  be  no  habitation  for  it. 

15  But  God  will  redeem  my  soul  from  the  underworld ; 

For  he  shall  receive  me.  [Selah  ] 

16  Be  not  thou  afraid  when  one  is  made  rich, 
When  the  glory  of  his  house  is  increased  : 

17  For  when  he  dieth  he  shall  carry  nothing  away ; 
His  glory  shall  not  descend  after  him. 

18  Though  while  he  lived  he  blest  his  soul, 

And  men  praise  thee  when  thou  doest  well  to  thyself, 

19  It  shall  go  to  the  generation  of  his  fathers, 
Who  never  more  shall  see  the  light 

20  Man  that  is  in  honor,  but  understandeth  not, 
Is  like  the  beasts  that  perish. 

2O.  PSALM  L. 

A  didactic  poem  on  the  true  mode  of  serving  God. 
A  Psalm  of  Asaph. 

1  The  mighty   God,  the   Lord,   speaketh,   and    calleth   the 

earth, 
From  the  rising  of  the  sun  to  its  going  down. 


THE  PSALMS.  27 


2  Out  of  Zion,  the  perfection  of  beauty, 
God  shineth  forth. 

3  Our  God  is  coming,  and  will  not  keep  silence : 
A  fire  devoureth  before  him, 

And  around  him  there  rageth  a  mighty  storm. 

4  He  calleth  to  the  heavens  above, 
And  to  the  -earth,  to  judge  his  people  : 

5  "  Gather  together  unto  me,  my  pious  servants, 
Who  have  made  a  covenant  with  me  by  sacrifice  !  " 

6  (And  the  heavens  shall  declare  his  righteousness  : 

For  God  is  judge  himself.)  [Selah.] 

7  "  Hear,  O  my  people,  and  I  will  speak  ! 

0  Israel,  and  I  will  testify  against  thee  I 

1  am  God,  even  thy  God. 

8  I  will  not  reprove  thee  for  thy  sacrifices  ; 

For  thy  burnt- offer  ings  are  continually  before  me. 

9  I  will  take  no  bullock  out  of  thy  house, 
Nor  he-goats  out  of  thy  folds 

10  For  every  beast  of  the  forest  is  mine, 

And  the  cattle  upon  a  thousand  hills 
111  know  all  the  fowls  of  the  mountains, 

And  the  wild  beasts  of  the  fields  are  before  me. 

12  If  I  were  hungry  I  would  not  tell  thee, 

For  the  world  is  mine,  and  the  fullness  thereof. 

13  Do  I  eat  the  flesh  of  bulls, 
Or  drink  the  blood  of  goats? 

14  Offer  unto  God  thanksgiving, 

And  pay  thy  vows  unto  the  Most  High ! 

15  Then  call  upon  me  in  the  day  of  trouble; 

I  will  deliver  thee,  and  thou  shalt  glorify  me  I  " 

16  But  unto  the  wicked  God  saith : 

"  To  what  purpose  dost  thou  talk  of  my  statutes? 
And  why  bearest  thou  my  covenant  upon  thy  lips? 

17  Thou  who  hatest  instruction, 
And  castest  my  words  behind  thee. 


28  THE  PSALMS. 


18  When  thou  seest  a  thief,  thou  art  in  friendship  with  him, 
And  hast  fellowship  with  adulterers. 

19  Thou  lettest  loose  thy  mouth  to  evil, 
And  thy  tongue  frameth  deceit. 

20  Thou  sittest  and  speakest  against  thy  brother ; 
Thou  slanderest  thine  own  mother's  son. 

21  These  things  hast  thou  done,  and  I  kept  silence ; 
Thou  didst  imagine  that  I  was  altogether  like  thyself; 
But  I  will  reprove  thee,  and  set  it  in  order  before  thine 

eyes." 

22  "  Now  consider  this,  ye  that  forget  God, 

Lest  I  tear  in  pieces,  and  there  be  none  to  deliver  I 

23  Whoso  offereth  thanksgiving  honoreth  me ; 
And  to  him  who  hath  regard  to  his  ways 
Will  I  show  the  salvation  of  God." 


21  PSALM  LI. 

A  prayer  of  repentance. 
A  Psalm  of  David, 

1  Be  gracious  unto  me,  O  God  !  according  to  thy  loving  kind 

ness; 

According  to  the  greatness  of  thy  mercy,  blot  out  my  trans- 
gressions ! 

2  Wash  me  thoroughly  from  mine  iniquity, 
And  cleanse  me  from  my  sin  ! 

3  For  I  acknowledge  my  transgressions, 
And  my  sin  is  ever  before  me. 

4  Against  thee,  thee  only,  have  I  sinned, 
And  done  that  which  is  evil  in  thy  sight ; 
So  that  thou  art  just  in  thy  sentence, 
And  righteous  in  thy  judgment. 

5  Behold  !  I  was  born  in  iniquity  ; 

And  in  sin  did  my  mother  conceive  me. 


THE  PSALMS.  29 


6  Behold  !  thou  desirest  truth  in  the  inward  parts  * 
So  teach  me  wisdom  in  my  inmost  soul ! 

7  Purge  me  with  hyssop,  and  I  shall  be  clean ; 
Wash  me,  and  I  shall  be  whiter  than  snow ! 

8  Make  me  to  hear  joy  and  gladness, 

That  the  bones  which  thou  hast  broken  may  rejoice! 

9  Hide  thy  face  from  my  sins, 
And  blot  out  all  mine  iniquities ! 

10  Create  in  me  a  clean  heart,  O  God ! 
And  renew  a  steadfast  spirit  within  me ! 

11  Cast  me  not  away  from  thy  presence, 
And  take  not  thy  holy  spirit  from  me ! 

12  Restore  unto  me  the  joy  of  thy  salvation, 
And  uphold  me  with  a  willing  spirit ! 

13  Then  will  I  teach  transgressors  thy  ways; 
And  sinners  shall  return  unto  thee. 

14  Deliver  me  from  the  guilt  of  blood,  O  God,  thou  God  of  my 

salvation ! 
That  my  tongue  may  sing  aloud  of  thy  righteousness ! 

15  O  LORD,  open  thou  my  lips, 

That  my  mouth  may  show  forth  thy  praise  ! 

16  For  thou  delightest  not  in  sacrifice ;  else  would  I  give  it ; 
Thou  hast  no  pleasure  in  burnt  offering. 

17  The  sacrifices  of  God  are  a  broken  spirit : 

A  broken  and  a  contrite  heart,  0  God,  thou   wilt  not 
despise ! 

22  PSALM  LXV. 

Praise  is  due  to  God  for  his  grace.    He  governs  all  nature  and  mankind, 
and  blesses  the  earth  with  an  abundant  harvest. 

A  Psalm  of  David.    A  Song. 

1  Praise  waiteth  for  thee,  O  God  !  in  Zion  : 
And  unto  thee  shall  the  vow  be  performed ! 

2  O  thou  that  hearest  prayer, 
Unto  thee  shall  all  flesh  come ! 


30  THE  PSALMS. 


3  Iniquities  prevail  against  me ; 

But  thou  wilt  forgive  our  transgressions. 

4  Happy  is  he  whom  thou  choosest, 

And  bringest  near  thee  to  dwell  in  thy  courts ! 
May  we  be  satisfied  with  the  blessings  of  thy  house, 
Thy  holy  temple ! 

5  By  wonderful  deeds  dost  thou  answer  us  in  mercy, 
O  God  of  our  salvation ! 

Who  art  the  confidence  of  all  the  ends  of  the  earth, 
And  of  the  most  distant  seas ! 

6  Thou  makest  fast  the  mountains  by  thy  power, 
Being  girded  with  might ! 

7  Thou  stillest  the  roaring  of  the  seas,  the  roaring  of  their 

waves, 
And  the  tumult  of  the  peoples. 

8  They  also  that  dwell  in  the  uttermost  parts  are  awed  by 

thy  signs ; 

Thou  makest  the  outgoings  of  the  morning  and  evening 
to  rejoice. 

9  Thou  visitest  the  earth,  and  waterest  it, 
Thou  enrichest  it  exceedingly ; 

The  river  of  God  is  full  of  water  : 

Thou  providest  them  corn,  when  thou  hast  thus  prepared 
the  earth. 

10  Thou  waterest  its  furrows  abundantly ; 
Thou  settlest  its  ridges  : 

Thou  makest  it  soft  with  showers ; 
Thou  blessest  its  increase. 

11  Thou  crownest  the  year  with  thy  goodness; 
And  thy  paths  drop  fatness. 

12  They  drop  upon  the  pastures  of  the  wilderness ; 
And  the  hills  are  girded  with  gladness. 

13  The  pastures  are  clothed  with  flocks; 
The  valleys  are  covered  over  with  corn ; 
They  shout  for  joy,  they  also  sing, 


THE   PSALMS.  31 


23.  PSALM  LXVIL 

Prayer  for  God's  blessing. 
A  P«alm.    A  Song. 

1  God  be  merciful  unto  us,  and  bless  us, 

.  And  cause  his  face  to  shine  upon  us;  [SelahJ 

2  That  thy  way  may  be  known  upon  earth, 
Thy  salvation  among  all  nations. 

3  Let  the  peoples  praise  thee,  0  God  ! 
Let  all  the  peoples  praise  thee  ! 

4  O  let  the  nations  be  glad  and  sing  for  joy  : 
For  thou  dost  judge  the  people  with  equity, 

And  govern  the  nations  upon  earth.  [Selah] 

5  Let  the  peoples  praise  thee,  O  God ! 
Yea,  let  all  the  peoples  praise  thee ! 

6  The  earth  hath  yielded  her  increase, 
God,  our  God,  hath  blessed  us. 

7  May  God  continue  to  bless  us, 

And  may  all  the  ends  of  the  earth  fear  him  ! 

24.  PSALM  LXXI1L 

A  didactic  poem  on  tlie  perplexing  problem  of  the  apparent  prosperity  of  the 

wicked.     The  psalmist  himself  once  troubled  with  this  problem 

gives  the  result  of  his  reflections  thereon. 

A  Psalm  of  Asaph. 

1  Surely  God  is  good  to  Israel, — 
To  those  who  are  pure  in  heart. 

2  But  as  for  me,  my  feet  almost  gave  way ; 
My  steps  had  well  nigh  slipped. 

3  For  I  was  envious  of  the  proud, 

When  I  saw  the  prosperity  of  the  wicked. 

4  For  they  have  no~  pains  even  to  their  death ; 
But  their  strength  is  firm. 

6  They  are  not  in  the  troubles  of  other  men ; 


32  THE  PSALMS. 


Neither  are  they  plagued  like  other  men. 

6  Therefore  pride  is  as  a  chain  about  their  neck ; 
Violence  covereth  them  as  a  garment. 

7  Their  eyes  stand  out  with  fatness  ; 
They  have  more  than  heart  could  wish. 

8  They  scoff,  and  in  wickedness  utter  oppression ; 
They  speak  haughtily. 

9  They  have  set  their  mouth  against  the  heavens, 
And  their  tongue  goeth  through  the  earth. 

10  Therefore  his  people  turn  hither  : 

And  water  in  abundance  is  swallowed  down  by  them. 

11  And  they  say,  "  How  doth  God  know? 
And  is  there  knowledge  in  the  Most  High? 

12  Behold,  these  are  the  wicked ; 

Yet  they  are  ever  at  ease,  they  increase  in  riches. 

13  Surely  in  vain  have  I  cleansed  my  heart, 
And  washed  my  hands  in  innocence. 

14  For  all  the  day  long  have  I  been  plagued, 
And  my  chastisement  was  every  morning." 

15  If  I  had  said,  I  will  speak  like  them, 

Behold,  I  should  be  treacherous  to  the  generation  of  thy 
children. 

16  Yet  when  I  mused  in  order  to  understand  this, 
It  was  too  difficult  in  mine  eyes ; 

17  Until  I  went  into  the  sanctuary  of  God, 
And  considered  their  latter  end. 

18  Surely  thou  settest  them  in  slippery  places ; 
Thou  castest  them  down  to  destruction. 

19  How  are  they  become  a  desolation  in  a  moment ! 
They  are  utterly  consumed  with  terrors. 

20  As  a  dream  when  one  awaketh, 

So,  O  LORD  !  when  thou  awakest,  thou  wilt  make  their  vain 
show  a  derision. 

21  When  my  heart  was  grieved,  « 

And  I  felt  as  if  wounded  in  my  reins : 


THE  PSALMS.  33 


22  Then  was  I  stupid  and  without  understanding ; 
I  was  like  one  of  the  brutes  before  thee. 

23  Nevertheless  I  am  continually  with  thee ; 
Thou  hast  holden  my  right  hand. 

24  Thou  shalt  guide  me  with  thy  counsel, 
And  at  last  receive  me  to  glory. 

25  Whom  have  I  in  heaven  but  thee? 

And  there  is  none  upon  earth  that  I  desire  beside  thee. 

26  Though  my  flesh  and  my  heart  fail  : 

God  is  the  strength  of  my  heart  and  my  portion  for  ever. 

27  For,  lo,.they  that  are  far  from  thee  perish ; 

Thou  destroyest  all  who  estrange  themselves  from  thee. 

28  But  it  is  good  for  me  to  draw  near  unto  God ; 
I  have  made  the  LORD  GOD  my  refuge, 

That  I  may  tell  of  all  thy  works. 


25.  PSALM  LXXXI. 

A  call  to  the  worship  of  the  true  God  on  the  great  festivals.    The  psalmist 
hears  the  voice  of  Ood,  reminding  of  the  deliverance  from  Egypt, 
warning  against  idolatry,  rebuking  the  people  for  their  disobedi- 
ence and  promising  them  protection  and  blessing  if  they 
would  persistently  seek  and  honestly  serve  him. 

A  Psalm  of  Asaph. 

1  Sing  aloud  unto  God,  our  strength  ! 
Shout  joyfully  unto  the  God  of  Jacob  1 

2  Raise  a  song,  and  strike  the  timbrel, 
The  pleasant  harp,  and  the  psaltery ! 

3  Blow  the  trumpet  in  the  new  moon, 

At  the  full  moon,  on  our  solemn  feast  day ! 

4  For  it  is  a  statute  for  Israel, 

An  ordinance  of  the  God  of  Jacob. 

5  He  appointed  it  in  Joseph  for  a  testimony, 
When  he  went  out  over  the  land  of  Egypt.— 
The  language  of  one  I  know  not  do  I  hear : 


34  THE  PSALMS. 


6  "  I  removed  his  shoulder  from  the  burden  ; 
His  hands  were  freed  from  the  basket. 

7  Thou  didst  call  in  trouble,  and  I  delivered  thee  ; 
I  answered  thee  in  the  secret  place  of  thunder  ; 

I  proved  thee  at  the  waters  of  Meribah.  [Selah] 

8  Hear,  O  my  people,  and  I  will  admonish  thee  ! 
O  Israel,  if  thou  wouldst  hearken  unto  me ! 

9  There  shall  no  strange  god  be  in  thee ; 
Neither  shalt  thou  worship  any  foreign  god  ! 

10  I  am  the  LORD  thy  God, 

Who  brought  thee  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt  : 
Open  thy  mouth  wide,  and  I  will  fill  it ! 

11  But  my  people  would  not  hearken  to  my  voice  ; 
And  Israel  was  not  willing  to  follow  me. 

12  So  I  let  them  go  after  the  stubbornness  of  their  heart, 
That  they  might  walk  in  their  own  counsels. 

13  "  Oh  that  my  people  would  hearken  unto  me, 
That  Israel  would  walk  in  my  ways  ! 

14  I  should  soon  subdue  their  enemies, 

And  turn  my  hand  against  their  adversaries. 

15  The  haters  of  the  LORD  should  submit  themselves  unto  him  ; 
But  their  time  should  endure  for  ever. 

16  I  should  feed  them  also  with  the  finest  of  the  wheat ; 
And  with  honey  out  of  the  rock  should  I  satisfy  thee." 


26.  PSALM  LXXXIL 

This  Psalm  rebukes  corrupt  judges  and  reminds  them  that  God  holds  them 
responsible  for  the  faithful  administration  of  justice. 

A  Psalm  of  Asaph. 

1  God  standeth  in  the  congregation  of  God ; 
He  judgeth  among  the  judges. 

2  *'  How  long  will  ye  judge  unjustly, 

And  respect  the  persons  of  the  wicked?  [Selah.] 


THE  PSALMS.  35 


3  Judge  the  poor  and  fatherless  ; 

Do  justice  to  the  afflicted  and  destitute. 

4  Rescue  the  poor  and  needy ; 

Deliver  them  out  of  the  hand  of  the  wicked. 

5  They  know  not,  neither  do  they  understand ; 
They  walk  in  darkness  : 

All  the  foundations  of  the  land  are  shaken. 

6  I  said,  Ye  are  gods, 

And  all  of  you  sons  of  the  Most  High. 

7  Nevertheless  ye  shall  die  like  men, 
And  fall  like  one  of  the  princes." 

8  Arise,  O  God,  judge  the  earth  ! 

For  thou  hast  dominion  over  all  the  nations. 

27.  PSALM  LXXXIV. 

Love  and  longing  for  the  worship  of  Ood  in  the  sanctuary. 
A  Psalm  of  the  Sons  of  Korah. 

1  How  lovely  are  thy  tabernacles, 
O  LORD  of  hosts  ! 

2  My  soul  longeth,  yea,  fainteth  for  the  courts  of  the  LORD  ; 
My  heart  and  my  flesh  cry  aloud  for  the  living  God. 

3  Yea,  the  sparrow  findeth  an  abode, 

And  the  swallow  a  nest  for  herself,  where  she  may  lay  her 

young, 

Even  thine  altars,  O  LORD  of  hosts, 
My  King,  and  my  God  ! 

4  Happy  are  they  who  dwell  in  thy  house, 

Who  are  continually  praising  thee.  [Selah.] 

5  Happy  is  the  man  whose  strength  is  in  thee  ; 
In  whose  heart  are  the  highways  to  Zion. 

6  Passing  through  the  valley  of  Weeping  they  make  it  a  place 

of  springs ; 
Yea,  the  early  rain  eovereth  it  with  blessings. 

7  They  go  on  from  strength  to  strength, 

Every  one  of  them  appeareth  before  God  in  Zion. 


36  THE  PSALMS. 


8  0  LORD,  God  of  hosts,  hear  my  prayer, 

Give  ear,  O  God  of  Jacob  I  f  Selah  ] 

9  Behold,  O  God,  our  shield, 

And  look  upon  the  face  of  thine  anointed  I 

10  For  a  day  in  thy  courts  is  better  than  a  thousand  ; 

I  would  rather  stand  at  the  threshold  of  the  house  of  my 

God, 
Than  dwell  in  the  tents  of  wickedness. 

11  For  the  LORD  God  is  a  sun  and  a  shield; 
The  LORD  will  give  grace  and  glory : 

No  good  thing  will  he  withhold  from  them  that  walk  up 
rightly. 

12  O  LOBD  of  hosts, 

Happy  is  the  man  who  trusteth  in  thee ! 


23.  PSALM  LXXXV. 

Prayer  for  the  complete  restoration  of  Israel  after  the  return  from  the 
captivity,  and  for  God's  renewed  favor  and  blessing. 

A  Psalm  of  the  Sons  of  Korah. 

1  O  LORD  I  thou  hast  been  favorable  unto  thy  land ; 
Thou  hast  brought  back  the  captivity  of  Jacob. 

2  Thou  hast  forgiven  the  iniquity  of  thy  people, 

Thou  hast  covered  all  their  sin.  [Selah  ] 

3  Thou  hast  taken  away  all  thy  wrath, 

Thou  hast  turned  thyself  from  the  fierceness  of  thine  anger. 

4  Restore  us,  0  God  of  our  salvation, 

And  cause  thine  indignation  toward  us  to  cease  ! 

5  Wilt  thou  be  angry  with  us  for  ever? 

Wilt  thou  draw  out  thine  anger  to  all  generations? 

6  Wilt  thou  not  quicken  us  again, 
That  thy  people  may  rejoice  in  thtfe? 

7  Show  us  thy  mercy,  O  LORD, 
And  grant  us  thy  salvation ! 


THE  PRALMR  37 


8  I  will  hear  what  God  the  LORD  will  speak : 

For  he  will  speak  peace  to  his  people,  and  to  his  servants ; 
But  let  them  not  turn  again  to  folly  ! 

9  Surely  his  salvation  is  nigh  them  that  fear  him ; 
That  glory  may  dwell  in  our  land. 

10  Mercy  and  truth  shall  meet  together ; 
Righteousness  and  peace  shall  kiss  each  other. 

11  Truth  shall  spring  out  of  the  earth ; 

And  righteousness  shall  look  down  from  heaven. 

12  Yea,  the  LORD  shall  give  that  which  is  good ; 
And  our  land  shall  yield  her  increase. 

13  Righteousness  shall  go  before  him, 
And  set  us  in  the  way  of  his  steps. 


29.  PSALM  LXXXVL 

The  distressed  poet  prays  for  divine  help  and  guidance,  and  for  a  new  token 
of  Qod's  grace  and  mercy. 

A  Prayer  of  David. 

1  Incline  thine  ear,  0  LORD  !  and  answer  me, 
For  I  am  poor  and  distressed. 

2  Preserve  my  life,  for  I  am  devoted  to  thee ; 

O  thou,  my  God !  save  thy  servant  who  trusteth  in  thee. 

3  Be  merciful  unio  me,  O  LORD  ! 

For  unto  thee  do  I  cry  all  the  day  long. 

4  Rejoice  the  soul  of  thy  servant; 

For  unto  thee,  O  LORD  !  do  I  lift  up  my  soul. 

5  For  thou,  LORD,  art  good  and  ready  to  forgive, 

And  rich  in  mercy  unto  all  them  that  call  upon  thee. 

6  Give  ear,  O  LORD  !  unto  my  prayer ; 

And  hearken  unto  the  voice  of  my  supplications  ! 

7  In  the  day  of  my  trouble  I  will  call  upon  thee ; 
For  thou  wilt  answer  me. 

8  There  is  none  like  unto  thee  among  the  gods,  O  LORD  ! 
Neither  are  there  any  works  like  unto  thy  works. 


38  THE  PSALMS. 


;9  All  nations  whom  thou  hast  made  shall  come  and  worship 

before  thee,  O  LORD  ! 
And  they  shall  glorify  thy  name. 

10  For  thou  art  great,  and  doest  wondrous  things ; 
Thou  art  God  alone. 

11  Teach  me  thy  way,  O  LORD  !    I  will  walk  in  thy  truth ; 
Unite  my  heart  to  fear  thy  name. 

12  I  will  praise  thee,  O  LORD,  my  God !  with  my  whole  heart ; 
And  I  will  glorify  thy  name  for  evermore. 

13 '  For  great  is  thy  mercy  toward  me ; 

And  thou  hast  delivered  my  soul  from  the  lowest  pit 

14  O  God !  the  proud  are  risen  up  against  me, 

And  the  congregation  of  violent  men  have  sought  after  my 

soul, 
And  have  not  set  thee  before  them. 

15  But  thou,  O  LORD  !  art  a  God  full  of  compassion  and  gra- 

cious, 
Slow  to  anger  and  rich  in  mercy  and  truth. 

16  O  turn  unto  me,  and  have  mercy  upon  me ; 
Give  thy  strength  unto  thy  servant, 

And  save  the  son  of  thine  handmaid. 

17  Show  me  a  token  for  good ; 

That  they  who  hate  me  may  see  it,  and  be  ashamed, 
Because  thou,  0  LORD,  helpest  and  comfortest  me  ! 

3O.  PSALM  XC. 

The  eternity  of  God  contrasted  to  the  frailty  of  man.      Prayer  for  divine 
mercy  and  forbearance . 

A  Prayer  of  Moses,  the  man  of  God. 

1  LORD  1  thou  hast  been  a  place  of  refuge  unto  us 
In  all  generations ! 

2  Before  the  mountains  were  brought  forth, 

Or  ever  thou  hadst  formed  the  earth  and  the  world, 
Even  from  everlasting  to  everlasting  thou  art  God  ! 


THE  PSALMS  39 


3  But  man  thou  turnest  again  to  dust, 

And  sayest,  "  Return,  ye  children  of  men !  " 

4  For  a  thousand  years  in  thy  sight 
Are  but  as  yesterday  when  it  is  past, 
And  as  a  watch  in  the  night. 

5  Thou  carriest  them  away  as  with  a  flood,  they  are  as  a  sleep ; 
In  the  morning  they  are  like  grass  which  groweth  up. 

6  In  the  morning  it  flourisheth  and  shooteth  up, 
In  the  evening  it  is  cut  down  and  withered. 

7  For  we  are  consumed  in  thine  anger, 
And  in  thy  wrath  are  we  troubled. 

8  Thou  hast  set  our  iniquities  before  thee, 

Our  secret  sins  in  the  light  of  thy  countenance. 

9  For  all  our  days  are  passed  away  in  thy  wrath  ; 
We  spend  our  years  like  a  thought. 

10  The  days  of  our  years  are  threescore  years  and  ten, 
Or  even,  by  reason  of  strength,  fourscore  years ; 
Yet  is  their  pride  but  weariness  and  sorrow ; 

For  it  vanisheth  swiftly,  and  we  fly  away. 

11  Who  knoweth  the  power  of  thine  anger, 

And  thy  wrath  according  to  the  fear  that  is  due  unto  thee? 

12  So  teach  us  to  number  our  days, 
That  we  may  get  us  a  heart  of  wisdom. 

13  Return,  O  LORD  !  how  long—? 

And  have  compassion  upon  thy  servants ! 

14  O  satisfy  us  in  the  morning  with  thy  mercy ; 
That  we  may  rejoice  and  be  glad  all  our  days. 

15  Make  us  glad  according  to  the  days  wherein  thou  hast 

afflicted  us, 
And  the  years  wherein  we  have  seen  adversity. 

16  Let  thy  work  appear  unto  thy  servants, 
And  thy  glory  upon  their  children. 

17  And  let  the  favor  of  the  LORD,  our  God,  be  upon  us, 
And  establish  thou  the  work  of  our  hands  upon  us ; 
Yea,  the  work  of  our  hands  establish  thou  it ! 


40  THE  PSALMS. 


31.  PSALM  XCL 

The  tafety  of  him  who  puts  his  trust  in  God.'* 

1  He  who  sitteth  in  the  shelter  of  the  Most  High 
Abideth  in  the  shadow  of  the  Almighty. 

2  "  I  say  to  the  LORD,  Thou  art  my  refuge  and  my  fortress ; 
My  God,  in  whom  I  trust ! n 

3  Surely  he  shall  deliver  thee  from  the  snare  of  the  fowler. 
And  from  the  wasting  pestilence. 

4  He  shall  cover  thee  with  his  pinions, 

And  under  his  wings  shalt  thou  take  refuge ; 
His  truth  is  a  shield  and  a  buckler. 

5  Thou  shalt  not  be  afraid  of  the  terror  by  night, 
Nor  of  the  arrow  that  flieth  by  day. 

6  Of  the  pestilence  that  walketh  in  darkness, 
Nor  of  the  destruction  that  wasteth  at  noonday. 

7  A  thousand  shall  fall  at  thy  side, 
And  ten  thousand  at  thy  right  hand ; 
But  it  shall  not  come  nigh  thee. 

8  Only  with  thine  eyes  shalt  thou  behold, 
And  see  the  reward  of  the  wicked. 

9  "Yea,  thou,  O  LORD,  art  my  refuge  ! " 

Thou  hast  made  the  Most  High  thy  protection. 

10  There  shall  no  evil  befall  thee, 

Neither  shall  any  plague  come  nigh  thy  tent. 

11  For  he  shall  give  his  angels  charge  over  thee, 
To  keep  thee  in  all  thy  ways. 

12  They  shall  bear  thee  up  in  their  hands, 
Lest  thou  dash  thy  foot  against  a  stone. 

13  Thou  shalt  tread  upon  the  lion  and  adder ; 

The  young  lion  and  the  serpent  thou  shalt  trample  under 
foot. 

•This  psalm  is  supposed  to  have  been  a  Temple  song  performed  by  a  chorus  and 
single  voices  in  the  following  way. 

Chorus,  v.  1;  single  voice,  v.  2;  chorus,  vs.  3-8;  single  voice,  the  first  part  of  v.9; 
chorus  from  the  second  part  of  v.  9  to  v.  13;  single  voice  speaking  in  the  name  of 
God  vs.  14-10. 


THE  PSALM5?.  41 


14  "  Because  he  loveth  me,  I  will  deliver  him ; 

I  will  set  him  on  high,  because  he  knoweth  my  name. 

15  He  shall  call  upon  mer  and  I  will  answer  him" 
I  will  be  with  him  in  trouble ; 

I  will  deliver  him,  and  bring  him  to  Jionor. 

16  With  long  life  will  I  satisfy  him, 
And  show  him  my  salvation." 

32.  PSALMXCIL 

Praise  is  due  to  God  under  whose  just  government  the  wicked  is  flourishing 
^       but  for  a  day,  soon  to  perish;  while  the  righteous  is  flourishing 
and  blessed  even  in  old  age. 

A  Psalm,  a  Song  for  the  Sabbath  day. 

1  It  is  a  good  thing  to  give  thanks  unto  the  LORD, 
And  to  sing  praises  unto  thy  name,  O  Most  High  ! 

2  To  show  forth  thy  loving  kindness  in  the  morning, 
And  thy  faithfulness  every  night. 

3  Upon  the  ten-stringed  instrument  and  the  lute, 
Upon  the  harp  with  a  solemn  sound. 

4  For  thou,  LORD,  hast  made  me  glad  by  thy  doings ; 
In  the  works  of  thy  hands  I  greatly  rejoice  ! 

5  How  great  are  thy  works,  O  LORD  ! 
Thy  thoughts  are  very  deep. 

G  A  brutish  man  knoweth  it  not, 
Neither  doth  a  fool  understand  this. 

7  When  the  wicked  spring  up  like  grass, 
And  all  the  workers  of  iniquity  do  flourish, 
It  is  but  to  be  destroyed  forever. 

8  But  thou,  O  LORD,  art  forever  exalted  ! 

9  For,  lo,  thine  enemies,  O  LORD  ! 
For,  lo,  thine  enemies  perish ; 

All  the  workers  of  iniquity  are  scattered  I 
10  But  my  horn  thou  exaltest  like  the  buffalo's  j 
I  am  anointed  with  fresh  oil. 


42  THE  PSALMS. 


11  Mine  eye  looketh  [calmly]  on  mine  enemies, 

Mine  ears  do  [fearlessly]  hear  when  the  wicked  rise  against 
me. 

12  The  righteous  shall  flourish  like  the  palm  tree ; 
He  shall  grow  up  like  a  cedar  in  Lebanon. 

13  They  that  are  planted  in  the  house  of  the  LORD 
Shall  flourish  in  the  courts  of  our  God. 

14  They  shall  still  bring  forth  fruit  in  old  age  ; 
They  shall  be  full  of  sap  and  green : 

15  To  show  that  the  LORD  is  upright ; 

He  is  my  rock,  and  there  is  no  unrighteousness  in  him. 

33.  PSALM  XCIIL 

The  majesty  and  glory  of  God  whose  eternal  power  governs  the  universe. 

1  The  LORD  reigneth ;  he  is  clothed  with  majesty ; 

The  LORD  is  clothed  with  majesty,  girded  with  strength : 
The  world  also  i  s  established  that  it  can  not  be  moved. 

2  Thy  throne  is  established  of  old ; 

Thou  art  from  everlasting  ! 

3  The  floods,  lift  up,  0  LORD  ! 
The  floods  lift  up  their  voice ; 
The  floods  lift  up  their  roaring ! 

4  Above  the  voices  of  many  waters, 
The  mighty  breakers  of  the  sea, 
The  LORD  on  high  is  mighty. 

5  Thy  testimonies  are  very  sure ; 
Holiness  becometh  thine  house, 
O  LORD,  for  ever  more  ! 

34.  PSALM  XCV. 
Exhortation  to  praise  God  and  to  obey  him. 

I  O  come,  let  us  sing  unto  the  LORD  ; 
Let  us  shout  joyfully  to  the  rock  of  our  salvation ! 


THE   PSALMS.  43 


2  Let  us  come  before  his  presence  with  thanksgiving, 
And  sing  j  oyfully  to  him  with  psalms  ! 

3  For  the  LORD  is  a  great  God, 
And  a  great  King  above  all  gods. 

4  In  his  hand  are  the  deep  places  of  the  earth ; 
The  heights  of  the  mountains  are  his  also. 

5  The  sea  is  his,  and  he  made  it  ; 
And  his  hands  formed  the  dry  land. 

6  O  come,  let  us  worship  and  bow  down  ! 
Let  us  kneel  before  the  LORD  our  maker ! 

7  For  he  is  our  God, 

And  we  are  the  people  of  his  pasture,  and  the  flock  of  his 

hand. 
O  that  ye  would  now  hear  his  voice  ! 

8  "  Harden  not  your  heart,  as  at  Meribah,         ^ 
As  in  the  day  of  Massah  in  the  wilderness  : 

9  Where  your  fathers  tempted  me, 

And  tried  me,  although  they  had  seen  my  work. 

10  Forty  years  long  was  I  grieved  with  that  generation, 
And  I  said,  l  They  are  a  people  of  a  perverse  heart, 
And  they  know  not  my  ways/ 

11  Therefore  I  swore  in  my  wrath, 

That  they  should  not  enter  into  my  rest." 

35.  PSALM  XCVL 

General  summons  to  sing  the  praises  of  Him  who  is  the  true  and  only  God. 
All  the  nations  are  exhorted  to  worship  Him,  and  the  whole  crea- 
tion is  catted  upon  to  rejoice  before  Him  who  governs 
and  judges  the  world  injustice. 

1  O  sing  unto  the  LORD  a  new  song ; 
Sing  unto  the  LORD,  all  the  earth ! 

*In  this  and  the  following  verses  the  Supreme  Being  is  introduced  as  warning 
Israel  not  to  follow  the  example  of  th?ir  forefathers  in  the  wilderness  —Meribah, 
meaning  strife,  and  Massah  meaning  temptation,  were  the  significant  names  given 
to  a  place  iu  the  wilderness  where  Israel  tempted  God.  See  Exodus  xvii.  1-7. 


44  THE  PSALMS. 


2  Sing  unto  the  LORD,  praise  his  name  ; 
Show  forth  his  salvation  from  day  to  day 

3  Proclaim  his  glory  among  the  nations, 

His  marvelous  works  among  all  the  peoples  ! 

4  For  great  is  the  LORD,  and  highly  to  be  praised  -t 
He  is  to  be  feared  above  all  gods. 

5  For  all  the  gods  of  the  peoples  are  idols  ; 
But  the  LORD  made  the  heavens. 

6  Glory  and  majesty  are  before  him ; 
Strength  and  beauty  are  in  his  sanctuary. 

7  Give  unto  the  LORD,  ye  tribes  of  the  people, 
Give  unto  the  LORD  honor  and  praise  ! 

8  Give  unto  the  LORD  the  honor  due  unto  his  name ; 
Bring  an  offering,  and  come  into  his  courts  ! 

9  O  worship  the  LORD  in  the  beauty  of  holiness  ! 
Tremble  before  him,  all  the  earth  I 

10  Say  among  the  nations,  The  LORD  reigneth ; 

The  world  also  is  established  that  it  can  not  be  moved; 
He  shall  judge  the  peoples  with  equity. 

11  Let  the  heavens  be  glad,  and  let  the  earth  rejoice ; 
Let  the  sea  roar,  and  the  fullness  thereof; 

12  Let  the  field  exult,  and  all  that  is  therein ; 
Then  shall  all  the  trees  of  the  wood  sing  for  joy ; 

13  Before  the  LORD,  for  he  cometh ; 
For  he  cometh  to  judge  the  earth  : 

He  shall  judge  the  world  with  righteousness, 
And  the  peoples  in  his  truth. 

36.  PSALM  XCVII. 

The  majesty  of  God  who  judges  the  world.     At  His  judgments  the  idolater  a 

are  terrified,  while  his  true  worshipers  rejoice.    Exhortation  to 

righteousness  which  alone  gains  the  divine  grace. 

1  The  LORD  reigneth ;  let  the  earth  rejoice  ! 
Let  the  multitude  of  isles  be  glad  I 


THE  PSALMS.  45 


2  Clouds  ana  darkness  are  round  about  him ; 
Righteousness  and  judgment  are  the  foundation  of  his 

throne. 

3  A  fire  goeth  before  him, 

And  burneth  up  his  adversaries  round  about. 

4  His  lightnings  illumine  the  world ; 
The  earth  beholdeth  and  trembleth. 

6  The  mountains  melt  like  wax  at  the  presence  of  the  LORD, 
At  the  presence  of  the  LORD  of  the  whole  earth. 

6  The  heavens  declare  his  righteousness, 
And  all  the  nations  behold  his  glory. 

7  Ashamed  are  all  who  serve  graven  images, 
Who  glory  in  idols  : 

Unto  him  bow  down  all  the  gods. 

8  Zion  heard  it  and  is  glad, 

And  the  daughters  of  Judah  rejoice, 
Because  of  thy  judgments,  O  LORD  I 

9  For  thou,  LORD,  art  most  high  above  all  the  earth ; 
Thou  art  exalted  far  above  all  gods  I 

10  O  ye  that  love  the  LORD,  hate  evil ! 

He  preserveth  the  souls  of  his  pious  servants  ; 
He  delivereth  them  from  the  hand  of  the  wicked. 

11  Light  is  sown  for  the  righteous, 

And  gladness  for  the  upright  in  heart. 

12  Be  glad  in  the  LORD,  ye  righteous ; 
And  give  thanks  to  his  holy  name  ! 

37.  PSALM  0. 

A  temple  song  calling  on  all  to  serve  God  cheerfully  and  to  give  thanks  for 

His  everlasting  mercy. 

A  Psalm  of  Thanksgiving. 

1  Shout  joyfully  unto  the  LORD,  all  ye  lands  ! 

2  Serve  the  LORD  with  gladness ; 

Come  before  his  presence  with  singing  I 


46  THE  PSALMS. 


3  Know  ye  that  the  LORD  is  God  I 

It  is  he  that  hath  made  us,  and  we  are  his ; 
We  are  his  people,  and  the  flock  of  his  pasture. 

4  Enter  into  his  gates  with  thanksgiving, 
And  into  his  courts  with  praise  ; 

Give  thanks  unto  him,  and  bless  his  name  1 

5  For  the  LORD  is  good,  his  mercy  endureth  forever  j 
And  his  faithfulness  unto  all  generations. 

38.  PSALM  CL 

David  expresses  hi»  noble  purposes  as  to  his  religious  life  and  regal  respon- 
sibilities. 

A  Psalm  of  David. 

1  I  will  sing  of  mercy  and  justice ; 
Unto  thee,  0  LORD  1  will  I  sing  praises. 

2  I  will  carefully  regard  the  way  of  uprightness : — 
Oh,  when  wilt  thou  come  unto  me? — 

I  will  walk  within  my  house  with  an  upright  heart. 

3  I  will  set  no  base  thing  before  mine  eyes  : 
I  hate  the  work  of  them  that  turn  aside; 
It  shall  not  cleave  unto  me. 

4  A  froward  heart  shall  depart  from  me ; 
I  will  know  no  evil  thing. 

6  Whoso  privily  slandereth  hn  neighbor,  him  will  I  destroy; 
Him  that  hath  a  haughty  look  and  a  proud  heart  will  I  not 

suffer. 

6  Mine  eyes  shall  be  upon  the  faithful  of  the  land,  that  they 

may  dwell  with  me ; 
He  that  walketh  in  the  way  of  uprightness,  he  shall  serve  me. 

7  He  that  worketh  deceit  shall  not  dwell  within  my  house ; 
He  that  speaketh  falsehood  shall  not  remain  in  my  sight. 

8  Morning  by  morning  will  I  destroy  all  the  wicked  of  the  land ; 
To  cut  off  all  the  workers  of  iniquity  from  the  city  of  the 

LORD. 


THE  PSALMS.  47 


39,  PSALM  CIII. 

Qratejul  homage  to  God  for  His  redeeming  and  forgiving  mercies  toward 

individuals  as  well  as  his  people.    Ajter  contrasting  human  frailty 

with  this  everlasting  mercy  of  the  eternal  ruler  of  the  universe, 

all  heavenly  and  earthly  beings  are  called  upon 

to  join  in  his  praise. 

A  Psalm  of  David 

1  Bless  the  LORD,  O  my  soul ! 

And  all  that  is  within  me,  bless  his  holy  name ! 

2  Bless  the  LORD,  0  my  soul ! 
And  forget  not  all  his  benefits  ! 

3  Who  fbrgiveth  all  thine  iniquities ; 
Who  healeth  all  thy  diseases  : 

4  Who  redeemeth  thy  life  from  destruction ; 

Who  crowneth  thee  with  loving  kindness  and  tender  mercies: 

5  Who  satisfieth  thine  old  age  with  good, 

So  that  thy  youth  is  renewed  like  the  eagle's. 

6  The  LORD  executeth  righteous  acts, 

And  judgments  for  all  that  are  oppressed. 

7  He  made  known  his  ways  unto  Moses, 
His  doings  unto  the  children  of  Israel. 

8  The  LORD  is  full  of  compassion  and  gracious, 
Slow  to  anger,  and  plenteous  in  mercy. 

9  He  will  not  always  chide ; 

Neither  will  he  keep  his  anger  for  ever. 

10  He  hath  not  dealt  with  us  after  our  sins, 
Nor  rewarded  us  after  our  iniquities. 

11  For  as  the  heaven  is  high  above  the  earth, 

So  great  ig  his  mercy  toward  them  that  fear  him. 

12  As  far  as  the  east  is  from  the  west, 

So  fur  hath  he  removed  our  transgressions  from  us. 

13  Even  as  a  father  pitieth  his  children, 

So  the  LORD  pitieth  them  that  fear  him. 

14  For  he  knoweth  our  frame ; 

He  remembereth  that  we  are  dust. 


48  THE  PSALMS. 


15  As  for  inaa,  his  days  are  as  grass ; 

As  a  flower  of  the  field,  so  he  flourisheth. 

16  For  the  wind  passeth  over  it,  and  it  is  gone  ; 
And  the  place  thereof  shall  know  it  no  more. 

17  But  the  mercy  of  the  LORD  is  from  everlasting  to  everlast 

ing  upon  them  that  fear  him, 
And  his  righteousness  unto  children's  children  ; 

18  To  such  as  keep  his  covenant, 

And  to  those  that  remember  his  precepts  to  do  them. 

19  The  LORD  hath  established  his  throne  in  the  heavens ; 
And  his  kingdom  ruleth  over  all. 

20  Bless  the  L®RD,  ye  angels  of  his  : 

Ye  mighty  in  strength,  who  fulfill  his  word, 
Hearkening  unto  the  voice  of  his  word  ! 

21  Bless  the  LORD,  all  ye  his  hosts ; 

Ye  ministers  of  his,  who  do  his  pleasure  1 

22  Bless  the  LORD,  all  ye  his  works, 
In  all  places  of  his  dominion  ! 
Bless  the  LORD,  0  my  soul ! 

4O.  .  PSALM  CIV. 

Praise  to  God,  the  glorious  Creator  of  the  world.* 

1  Bless  the  LORD,  O  my  soul ! 
O  LORD,  my  God,  thou  art  very  great ! 
Thou  art  clothed  with  glory  and  majesty ! 

*rhe  following  synopsis  will  assist  the  reader  in  comprehending  the  sublime 
contents  of  this  grand  psalm,  which  is  one  of  the  brightest  gems  in  the  crown  of  Bib- 
lical poetry: 

After  a  short  prelude  in  praise  of  God's  glory  and  majesty  (v.  1)  the  psalmist  de' 
scribes  poetically  the  creation  of  light,  heaven  and  earth  (vs.  2-5.),  the  separation  of 
land  and  water  (vs.  6-9)  and  God's  providing  care  for  man  and  beast  (vs.  10-18). 
Then  he  mentions  tho  sun  and  the  moon  and  the  changes  of  day  and  night  with 
their  changing  scenes  (vs.  19-23);  furthermore  how  God  filled  even  the  eea  with 
living  creatures  (vs.  24-26)  and  how  the  life  of  all  beings  depends  upon  Him  (vs. 
27-30).  Impressed  with  the  glory  of  God  whose  power  is  also  manifested  in  earth- 
quakes and  volcanoes,  the  psalmist  avows  his  purpose  to  sing  His  praise  continually, 
and  closes  with  the  wish  that  all  sin  may  cease  from  the  earth,  so  that  every  soul 
may  join  him  in  praising  the  eternal  God  (vs.  31-35). 


THE  PSALMS.  49 


2  He  covereth  himself  with  light  as  with  a  garment; 
He  spreadeth  out  the  heavens  like  a  curtain  ; 

3  He  layeth  the  beams  of  his  chambers  in  the  waters ; 
,    He  maketh  the  clouds  his  chariot ; 

He  rideth  upon  the  wings  of  the  wind. 

4  He  maketh  the  winds  his  messengers  ; 
The  flaming  lightnings  his  ministers. 

5  He  established  the  earth  on  its  foundations ; 
It  shall  not  be  moved  forever. 

6  Thou  didst  cover  it  with  the  deep  as  with  a  garment ; 
The  waters  stood  above  the  mountains. 

7  At  thy  rebuke  they  fled  ; 

At  the  voice  of  thy  thunder  they  hasted  away ; 

8  The  mountains  rose,  the  valleys  sank  ; 

In  the  place  which  thou  didst  appoint  for  them. 

9  Thou  hast  set  a  bound  that  they  may  not  pass  over ; 
That  they  turn  not  again  to  cover  the  earth. 

30  He  sendeth  forth  springs  into  the  valleys ; 
They  run  among  the  mountains  : 

11  They  give  drink  to  every  beast  of  the  field ; 
The  wild  asses  quench  their  thirst. 

12  By  them  the  fowl  of  the  heaven  have  their  habitation, 
They  sing  among  the  branches. 

13  He  watereth  the  mountains  from  his  chambers  : 
The  earth  is  satisfied  with  the  fruit  of  thy  works  1 

14  He  causeth  the  grass  to  grow  for  the  cattle, 
And  herb  for  the  service  of  man ; 

That  he  may  bring  forth  food  out  of  the  earth  : 

15  And  wine  that  maketh  glad  the  heart  of  man, 
And  oil  to  make  his  face  to  shine, 

And  bread  that  strengthened  man's  heart. 

16  The  trees  of  the  LORD  are  full  of  sap, 

The  cedars  of  Lebanon,  which  he  hath  planted ; 

17  There  the  birds  make  their  nests  : 

As  for  the  stork,  the  cypresses  are  her  house. 


50  THE  PSALMS. 

18  The  high  mountains  are  for  the  wild  goats ; 
The  rocks  are  a  refuge  for  the  conies. 

19  He  appointeth  the  moon  for  seasons  : 
The  sun  knoweth  his  going  down. 

20  Thou  makest  darkness,  and  it  is  night ; 
Wherein  all  the  beasts  of  the  forest  do  creep  forth. 

21  The  young  lions  roar  after  their  prey, 
And  seek  their  food  from  God. 

22  The  sun  ariseth,  they  withdraw  themselves, 
And  lie  down  in  their  dens. 

23  Man  goeth  forth  unto  his  work, 
And  to  his  labor  until  the  evening. 

24  O  LORD,  how  manifold  are  thy  works  J 
In  wisdom  hast  thou  made  them  all, 
The  earth  is  full  of  thy  riches  ! 

25  Yonder  is  the  sea,  great  and  wide, 

Therein  are  moving  creatures  without  number, 
Both  small  and  great  beasts. 

26  There  go  the  ships ; 

There  is  leviathan,  which  thou  hast  made  to  play  therein. 

27  These  wait  all  upon  thee, 

That  thou  mayest  give  them  their  food  in  aue  season. 

28  Thou  givest  it  unto  them,  they  gather  it ; 

Thou  openest  thine  hand,  they  are  satisfied  with  good. 

29  Thou  hidest  thy  face,  they  are  troubled ; 
Thou  takest  away  their  breath,  they  die, 
And  return  to  their  dust. 

30  Thou  sendeth  forth  thy  spirit,  they  are  created ; 
And  thou  renewest  the  face  of  the  earth. 

31  The  glory  of  the  LORD  shall  endure  forever ; 
The  LORD  shall  rejoice  in  his  works  ! 

32  He  looketh  on  the  earth,  and  it  teembleth  ; 
He  toucheth  the  mountains,  and  they 


THE  PSALMS.  51 


33  I  will  sing  unto  the  LORD  as  long  as  I  live ; 

I  will  sing  praise  to  my  God  while  I  have  my  being. 

34  May  my  meditation  be  agreeable  to  him  ! 
I  will  rejoice  in  the  LORD. 

35  May  sinners  cease  from  the  earth, 
And  the  wicked  be  no  more  ! 
Bless  the  LORD,  0  my  soul  ? 
Hallelujah ! 

41.  PART  OF  PSALM  CVIL 

(vs.  21-32.) 

Admonishing  10  render  thanks  for  divine  protection  under  the  perils  of  a  sea 

storm. 

1  O  that  men  would  praise  the  LORD  for  his  goodness, 
For  his  wonderful  works  to  the  children  of  men  ! 

2  Let  them  offer  the  sacrifices  of  thanksgiving, 
And  declare  his  work  with  singing ! 

3  They  who  go  down  to  the  sea  in  ships, 
And  do  business  in  great  waters, 

4  These  see  the  works  of  the  LORD, 
And  his  wonders  in  the  deep. 

5  For  he  commandeth,  and  raiseth  the  stormy  wind, 
Which  lifteth  up  the  waves  thereof. 

6  They  mount  up  to  the  heaven,  they  go  down  again  to  the 

depths ; 
Their  soul  melteth  with  distress. 

7  They  reel  to  and  fro,  and  stagger  like  a  drunken  man, 
And  all  their  skill  is  exhausted. 

8  Then  they  cry  unto  the  LORD  in  their  trouble, 
And  he  bringeth  them  out  of  their  distresses. 

9  He  maketh  the  storm  a  calm, 

So  that  the  waves  thereof  are  still. 
10  Then  are  they  glad  because  they  be  quiet; 
So  he  bringeth  them  to  their  desired  haven, 


52  THE  PSALMS. 


11O  let  them  praise  the  LORD  for  his  goodness, 
For  his  wonderful  works  to  the  children  of  men  ! 

12  Let  them  exalt  him  in  the  congregation  of  the  people, 
And  praise  him  in  the  assembly  of  the  elders  ! 

42.  PSALM  CXI. 

Prauing  Ood  for  his  gracious  works,  especially  in  guiding  Israel.* 

1  Hallelujah! 

I  will  give  thanks  unto  the  LORD  with  my  whole  heart, 
In  the  assembly  of  the  upright,  and  in  the  congregation. 

2  The  works  of  the  LORD  are  great, 

Sought  out  of  all  them  that  have  pleasure  therein. 

3  His  work  is  glorious  and  majestic, 
And  his  righteousness  endureth  forever. 

4  He  hath  made  his  wonderful  works  to  be  remembered ; 
The  LORD  is  gracious  and  full  of  compassion. 

5  He  hath  given  meat  unto  them  that  fear  him  ; 
He  will  ever  be  mindful  of  his  covenant. 

6  He  showed  his  people  the  power  of  his  works, 
In  giving  them  the  heritage  of  the  nations. 

7  The  works  of  his  hands  are  truth  and  justice ; 
All  his  precepts  are  sure.     . 

8  They  stand  firm  for  ever  and  ever ; 

They  are  founded  in  truth  and  uprightness. 

9  He  hath  sent  redemption  unto  his  people ; 
He  hath  established  his  covenant  forever ; 
Holy  and  to  be  feared  is  his  name. 

10  The  fear  of  the  LORD  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom  ; 

A  good  understanding  have  all  they  that  keep  his  com- 
mandments ; 
His  praise  endureth  forever. 

*  This  and  the  succeeding  psalm  are,  in  the  original,  alphabetically  arranged, 
each  clause  in  them  beginning  with  a  different  letter,  according  to  the  order  of  the 
Hebrew  alphabet.  In  consequence  of  this  artificial  arrangement,  the  sentences  are, 
at  times,  only  loosely  connected, 


THE  PSALMS.  53 


43.  PSALM  CXII. 

The  happiness  of  the  righteous  and  charitable  man. 

1  Hallelujah! 

Happy  is  the  man  who  feareth  the  LORD, 
Who  delighteth  greatly  in  his  commandments. 

2  His  posterity  shall  be  mighty  on  the  earth ; 
The  generation  of  the  upright  shall  be  blessed. 

3  Wealth  and  riches  are  in  his  house, 
And  his  righteousness  endureth  forever. 

4  Unto  the  upright  there  ariseth  light  in  the  darkness  ; 
He  is  gracious,  and  full  of  compassion,  and  righteous. 

5  Well  is  it  with  the  man  that  dealeth  graciously  and  lendeth  ; 
He  shall  maintain  his  cause  in  judgment. 

6  For  he  shall  never  be  moved ; 

The  righteous  shall  be  in  everlasting  remembrance. 

7  He  shall  not  be  afraid  of  evil  tidings  ; 
His  heart  is  firm,  trusting  in  the  LORD. 

8  His  heart  is  established,  he  shall  not  be  afraid, 
Even  when  he  looketh  on  his  assailants. 

9  He  hath  scattered  blessings,  he  hath  given  to  the  needy ; 
His  righteousness  endureth  forever. 

His  horn  shall  be  exalted  with  honor. 
10  The  wicked  seeth  it,  and  is  grieved ; 

He  gnasheth  his  teeth,  and  melteth  away; 
The  desire  of  the  wicked  perisheth. 

44.  PSALM  CXIIL* 

An  exhortation  to  praise  God  for  His  condescending  goodness. 
1  Hallelujah! 

Praise,  O  ye  servants  of  the  LORD  ! 
Praise  the  name  of  the  LORD  I 

*This  and  the  five  succeeding  psalms  constitute  the  so-called  ffallel,  which  may 
have  been  designed  for  the  celebration  of  the  feast  of  Passover,  but  is  still  now  re- 
cited at  the  divine  service  ou  the  three  festivals,  as  well  as  on  Rosh  Chodesh  and 
Chanuka. 


54  THE  PSALMS. 


2  Blessed  be  the  name  of  the  LORD 
From  this  time  forth  and  for  evermore  i 

3  Prom  the  rising  of  the  sun  unto  its  going  down 
May  the  LORD'S  name  be  praised  ! 

4  The  LORD  is  high  above  all  nations, 
And  his  glory  above  the  heavens. 

5  Who  is  like  unto  the  LORD,  our  God, 
That  hath  his  seat  on  high, 

6  That  looketh  down  low 

Upon  the  heavens  and  the  earth  ? 

7  He  raiseth  the  poor  from  the  dust, 

And  lifeth  up  the  needy  from  the  dunghill ; 

8  That  he  may  set  him  with  princes, 
Even  with  the  princes  of  his  people. 

9  He  causeth  the  barren  woman  to  dwell  in  a  house, 
A  joyful  mother  of  children. 

Hallelujah !  j 

45.  PSALM  CXIV. 

A  glorious  song  on  Israel1  s  departure  from  Egypt,  under  the  guidance  of 

God. 

1  When  Israel  went  forth  from  Egypt, 

The  house  of  Jacob  from  a  people  of  strange  language ; 

2  Judah  became  his  sanctuary, 
Israel  his  dominion. 

3  The  sea  saw  it,  and  fled ; 
The  Jordan  was  driven  back. 

4  The  mountains  skipped  like  rams, 
The  little  hills  like  lambs. 

5  What  aileth  thee,  O  thou  sea,  that  thou  fleest? 
Thou,  Jordan,  that  thou  turnest  back  ? 

6  Ye  mountains,  that  ye  skip  like  rams ; 
Ye  little  hills,  like  lambs  ? 


PSALMS.  55 


7  Tremble,  thou  earth,  at  the  presence  of  the  LORD, 
At  the  presence  of  the  God  of  Jacob ; 

8  Who  turned  the  rock  into  a  pool  of  water, 
The  flint  into  a  fountain  of  waters  ! 


46.  %       PSALM  CXV. 

Prayer  that  God  would  display  his  glory  as  the  true  Qod,  by  giving  aid  to 
his  people  against  the  worshipers  of  idols. 

1  Not  unto  us,  O  LORD  !  not  unto  us, 
But  unto  thy  name  give  glory, 

For  thy  mercy,  and  for  thy  truth's  sake  ! 

2  Wherefore  should  the  nations  say, 
"  Where  is  now  their  God  ?" 

3  But  our  God  is  in  the  heavens  ; 
He  doeth  whatsoever  he  pleaseth. 

4  Their  idols  are  silver  and  gold, 
The  work  of  men's  hands. 

5  They  have  mouths,  but  they  speak  not ; 
Eyes  have  they,  but  they  see  not : 

6  They  have  ears,  but  they  hear  not ; 
Noses  have  they,  but  they  smell  not ; 

7  They  have  hands,  but  they  handle  not ; 
Feet  have  they,  but  they  walk  not ; 
Neither  speak  they  through  their  throat. 

8  They  that  make  them  shall  be  like  unto  them ; 
Yea,  every  one  that  trusteth  in  them. 

9  O  Israel !  trust  thou  in  the  LORD  ! 
He  is  their  help  and  their  shield. 

10  O  house  of  Aaron  !  trust  ye  in  the  LORD  I 
He  is  their  help  and  their  shield. 

11  Ye  that  fear  the  LORD,  trust  in  the  LORD  1 
He  is  their  help  and  their  shield. 


56  THE  PSALMS. 


12  The  LORD  hath  been  mindful  of  us ;  he  will  bless  us ; 
He  will  bless  the  house  of  Israel ; 

He  will  bless  the  house  of  Aaron. 

13  He  will  bless  them  that  fear  the  LORD, 
Both  small  and  great. 

14  The  LORD  increase  you  more  and  more, 
You  and  your  children.  , 

15  Blessed  are  ye  of  the  LORD, 
Who  made  heaven  and  earth. 

16  The  heavens  are  the  heavens  of  the  LORD  ; 

But  the  earth  hath  he  given  to  the  children  of  men. 

17  The  dead  praise  not  the  LORD, 
Neither  any  that  go  down  into  silence ; 

18  But  we  will  bless  the  LORD 

From  this  time  forth  and  for  evermore  1 
Hallelujah ! 

47.  PSALM  CXVI. 

Thanksgiving  song  for  deliverance  from  calamity. 

1  I  love  the  LORD  because  he  hath  heard 
My  voice  and  my  supplications. 

2  Because  he  hath  inclined  his  ear  unto  me, 
Therefore  will  I  call  upon  him  as  long  as  I  live. 

3  The  snares  of  death  compassed  me, 

And  the  pains  of  the  under  world  seized  upon  me ; 
I  found  trouble  and  sorrow. 

4  Then  called  I  upon  the  name  of  the  LORD  : 
"  0  LORD  !  I  beseech  thee,  deliver  my  soul !" 

5  Gracious  is  the  LORD,  and  righteous  ; 
Yea  oui  God  is  merciful. 

6  The  LORD  preserveth  the  simple ; 

I  was  brought  low,  and  he  saved  me. 

7  Return  unto  thy  rest,  O  my  soul ! 

For  the  LORD  hath  dealt  bountifully  with  thee. 


THE   PSALMS.  57 


8  For  thou  hast  delivered  my  soul  from  death, 

Mine  eyes  from  tears, 

And  my  feet  from  falling. 
9*  I  will  walk  before  the  LORD 

In  the  land  of  the  living. 

10  I  had  trust,  although  I  said, 
"  I  am  greatly  afflicted !" 

11  I  said  in  my  distress, 
"  All  men  are  false." 

12  What  shall  I  render  unto  the  LORD 
For  all  his  benefits  toward  me? 

13  I  will  take  the  cup  of  salvation, 
And  call  upon  the  name  of  the  LORD. 

14  I  will  pay  my  vows  unto  the  LORD, 
Yea,  in  the  presence  of  all  his  people. 

15  Precious  in  the  sight  of  the  LORD 
Is  the  death  of  his  pious  ones. 

16  O  LORD  !  truly  I  am  thy  servant ; 

I  am  thy  servant,  the  son  of  thy  handmaid : 
Thou  hast  loosed  my  bonds. 

17  I  will  offer  to  thee  the  sacrifice  of  thanksgiving, 
And  will  call  upon  the  name  of  the  LORD. 

18  I  will  pay  my  vows  unto  the  LORD, 
Yea,  in  the  presence  of  all  his  people ; 

19  In  the  courts  of  the  LORD'S  house, 
In  the  midst  of  thee,  O  Jerusalem ! 
Hallelujah ! 

48.  PSALM  CXV1I. 

Exhorting  all  nations  to  praise  God. 

1  O  praise  the  LORD,  all  ye  nations ! 
Laud  him,  all  ye  peoples  ! 

2  For  his  mercy  is  great  toward  us ; 

And  the  truth  of  the  LORD  endureth  for  ever. 
Hallelujah ! 


58  THE  PSALMS. 


49.  PSALM  CXVIIL 

Public  thanksgiving  for  deliverance  from  danger  and  victory  over  enemies.* 

1  O  give  thanks  unto  the  LORD,  for  he  is  good  ; 
Yea,  his  mercy  endureth  for  ever ! 

2  Let  Israel  now  say, 

Yea,  his  mercy  endureth  for  ever ! 

3  Let  the  house  of  Aaron  now  say, 
Yea,  his  mercy  endureth  for  ever ! 

4  Let  them  now  that  fear  the  LORD  say, 
Yea,  his  mercy  endureth  for  ever ! 

5  Out  of  my  distress  I  called  upon  the  LORD  : 
The  LORD  answered  me  in  delivering  me. 

6  The  LORD  is  on  my  side,  I  will  not  fear ; 
What  can  man  do  unto  me? 

7  The  LORD  is  with  me,  as  my  helper ; 

Therefore  shall  I  [fearlessly]  look  on  those  who  hate  me. 

8  It  is  better  to  trust  in  the  LORD 
Than  to  put  confidence  in  man. 

9  It  is  better  to  trust  in  the  LORD 
Than  to  put  confidence  in  princes. 

10  All  nations  compassed  me  about ; 

In  the  name  of  the  LORD  I  will  cut  them  off. 

11  They  compassed  me  about ;  yea,  they  compassed  me  about ; 
In  the  name  of  the  LORD  I  will  cut  them  off 


*This  glorious  song  appears  from  its  contents  to  have  been  composed  on  the  occa- 
casion  of  the  entry  of  a  festive  procession  into  the  temple  courts  to  celebrate  there 
some  great  victory.  The  song  was  probably  performed  by  various  choruses  and  sin- 
gle voices,  in  the  following  way: 

Chorus  calling  upon  all  Israel  to  praise  God  (vs.  1-4).  Single  voice,  speaking  in  the 
name  of  the  people,  expresses  grateful  acknowledgment  for  God's  mercy,  and  confi- 
dence in  him  (vs.  5-9),  describing  the  distress  and  the  deliverance  just  experienced 
(vs.  10-18).  Arrived  at  the  gates  of  the  inner  court,  permission  to  enter  is  asked  (v. 
19) and  given  (v.  20).  Entering  the  gates,  thanksgiving  and  prayer  are  offered  (vs. 
21-25).  The  High  Priest  (or  a  chorus  of  priests)  receives  the  procession  with  a  bless- 
ing, and  orders  the  performance  of  sacrificial  acts  (vs,  26  27).  Closing  song  of  praise 
and  thanksgiving  (vs.  28-29.) 


THE  PSALMS.  59 


12  They  compassed  me  about  like  bees ;  they  are  quenched  as 

the  fire  of  thorns  : 
In  the  name  of  the  LORD  I  will  cut  them  off. 

13  Thou  didst  thrust  violently  at  me  that  I  might  fall; 
But  the  LORD  helped  me. 

14  The  LORD  is  my  strength  and  song ; 
And  he  is  become  my  salvation. 

15  The  voice  of  rejoicing  and  salvation  is  in  the  tents  of  the 

righteous : 
"  The  right  hand  of  the  LORD  doeth  valiantly. 

16  The  right  hand  of  the  LORD  is  exalted  ; 

The  right  hand  of  the  LORD  doeth  valiantly." 

17  I  shall  not  die,  but  live, 

And  declare  the  works  of  the  LORD. 

18  The  LORD  hath  sorely  chastened  me  ; 
But  he  hath  not  given  me  over  unto  death. 

19  Open  to  me  the  gates  of  righteousness  ; 

I  will  enter  into  them,  I  will  give  thanks  unto  the  LORD  ! 

20  This  is  the  gate  of  the  LORD  ; 
The  righteous  shall  enter  into  it ! 

21  I  will  give  thanks  unto  thee,  for  thou  hast  answered  me, 
And  art  become  my  salvation. 

22  The  stone  which  the  builders  rejected 
Is  become  the  chief  corner-stone. 

23  This  is  the  LORD'S  doing ; 

It  is  marvellous  in  our  eyes. 

24  This  is  the  day  which  the  LORD  hath  made ; 
We  will  rejoice  and  be  glad  in  it ! 

25  Save  now,  we  beseech  thee,  O  LORD  ! 

O  LORD,  we  beseech  thee,  send  now  prosperity  ! 

26  "  Blessed  be  he  that  cometh  in  the  name  of  the  LORD  ! 
We  bless  you  out  of  the  house  of  the  LORD." 

27  The  LORD  is  God,  and  he  hath  given  us  light : 

Bind  the  sacrifice  with  cords,  even  unto  the  horns  of  the  altar  ! 


60  THE  PSALMS. 


28  Thou  art  my  God,  and  I  will  give  thanks  unto  thee ! 
Thou  art  my  God,  I  will  exalt  thee  ! 

29  O  give  thanks  unto  the  LORD,  for  he  is  good ; 
Yea,  his  mercy  endureth  for  ever  ! 

50.  PSALM  CXXI. 

Confidence  in  the  protection  of  God. 
A  Pilgrim  Song.* 

1  I  lift  up  mine  eyes  unto  the  mountains : 
Whence  shall  my  help  come? 

2  My  help  cometh  from  the  LORD, 
Who  made  heaven  and  earth. 

3  He  will  not  suffer  thy  foot  to  stumble ; 
Thy  guardian  will  not  slumber. 

4  Behold,  the  guardian  of  Israel 
Doth  neither  slumber  nor  sleep. 

6  The  LORD  is  thy  keeper ; 

The  LORD  is  thy  shade  at  thy  right  hand. 

6  The  sun  shall  not  smite  thee  by  day, 
Nor  the  moon  by  night. 

7  The  LORD  shall  keep  thee  from  all  evil ; 
He  shall  keep  thy  soul. 

8  The  LORD  shall  keep  thy  going  out  and  thy  coming  in, 
From  this  time  forth  and  for  evermore. 

51.  PSALM  CXXII. 

Aspirations  of  love  for  the  temple  and  for  the  scenes  of  worship  there . 
A  Pilgrim  Song,  by  David. 

1  I  was  glad  when  they  said  unto  me, 
Let  us  go  unto  the  house  of  the  LORD  ! 

*This  is  the  second  in  a  series  of  fifteen  Psalms  (120-134)  each  of  which  has  the 
Hebrew  heading,  Shir  Hamnaaloth.  The  literal  translation  of  this  heading  is  "  Song 
of  the  Upgoings,"  or  as  the  revised  version  renders  it:  Song  of  Ascents.  The  common 
version  is:  Song  of  Degrees.  Some  translate  it  with  Song  of  the  Pilgrimages  or 
Pilgrim  Song,  These  psalms  are  supposed  to  have  been  prepared  to  be  sung  when 
the  people  went  up  to  Jerusalem  to  attend  the  three  great  annual  festivals. 


THE  PSALMS.  61 


2  Our  feet  are  standing 

Within  thy  gates,  0  Jerusalem  ! 

3  Jerusalem,  thou  art  [beautifully]  built 
As  a  city  that  is  compact  together ! 

4  Thither  the  tribes  go  up,  the  tribes  of  the  LORD, 
According  to  an  ordinance  for  Israel, 

To  give  thanks  unto  the  name  of  the  LORD. 

5  For  there  stand  thrones  for  judgment, 
The  thrones  of  the  house  of  David. 

6  Pray  for  the  peace  of  Jerusalem  ! 
May  they  prosper  who  love  thee  ! 

7  Peace  be  within  thy  walls, 

And  prosperity  within  thy  palaces  ! 

8  For  the  sake  of  my  brethren  and  companions 
I  will  now  say,  Peace  be  within  thee  I 

9  For  the  sake  of  the  house  of  the  LORD  our  God 
I  will  seek  thy  good  ! 

52.  PSALM  CXX1V. 

Praising  God  for  having  delivered  Israel  from  a  great  calamity;   probably 

referring  to  the  deliverance  from  the  exile. 

A  Pilgrim  Song  by  David. 

1  If  it  had  not  been  the  LORD  who  was  on  our  side, 
Let  Israel  now  say, 

2  If  it  had  not  been  the  LORD  who  was  on  our  side, 
When  men  rose  up  against  us  : 

3  Then  they  had  swallowed  us  up  alive, 
When  their  wrath  was  kindled  against  us  : 

4  Then  the  waters  had  overwhelmed  us, 
The  stream  had  gone  over  our  soul ; 

5  Then  the  proud  waters  had  gone  over  our  soul. 

6  Blessed  be  the  LORD, 

Who  hath  not  given  us  as  a  prey  to  their  teeth  I 


62  THE  PSALMS. 


7  Our  soul  is  escaped  like  a  bird  out  of  the  snare  of  the  fowlers ; 
The  snare  is  broken,  and  we  are  escaped. 

8  Our  help  is  in  the  name  of  the  LORD, 
Who  made  heaven  and  earth. 

53.  PSALM  CXXVL 

Thanksgiving  for  the  return  from  the  captivity,  and  prayer  for  the  complete 

restoration  of  the  exiles  remaining  at  Babylon. 

A  Pilgrim  Song. 

1  When  the  LORD  brought  back  the  captivity  of  Zion, 
We  were  like  them  that  dream. 

2  Then  was  our  mouth  filled  with  laughter, 
And  our  tongue  with  singing  : 

Then  said  they  among  the  nations, 

"  The  LORD  hath  done  great  things  for  them !  " 

3  The  LORD  hath  done  great  things  for  us ; 
Of  which  we  are  glad. 

4  Bring  back,  O  LORD  !  our  captivity, 
Like  streams  in  the  South ! 

5  They  who  sow  in  tears  shall  reap  in  joy. 

6  Though  he  goeth  forth  weeping,  bearing  the  seed ; 

He  shall  surely  come  back  rejoicing,  bringing  his  sheaves. 

54.  PSALM  CXXVII. 

No  happiness  and  prosperity  without  the  blessing  of  God. 
A  Pilgrim  Song  by  Solomon. 

1  Except  the  LORD  build  the  house, 
They  labor  in  vain  who  build  it : 
Except  the  LORD  keep  the  city, 
The  watchmen  waketh  but  in  vain. 

2  It  is  vain  for  you  that  you  rise  up  early,  and  go  to  rest  late, 
And  eat  the  bread  of  toil ; 

The  same  doth  he  give  unto  his  beloved  during  sleep. 


THE  PSALMS.  63 


3  Behold,  children  are  an  heritage  of  the  LORD, 
And  offspring  are  his  gift. 

4  As  arrows  in  the  hand  of  a  mighty  man, 
So  are  the  children  of  youth. 

5  Happy  is  the  man  that  hath  his  quiver  full  of  them ! 
They  shall  not  be  ashamed, 

When  they  speak  with  enemies  in  the  gate. 

55.  PSALM  GXXVIII. 

The  prosperity  and  domestic  happiness  of  the  religious  man. 
A  Pilgrim  Song. 

1  Happy  is  every  one  who  feareth  the  LORD, 
Who  walketh  in  his  ways  ! 

2  Thou  shalt  eat  the  labor  of  thine  hands ; 

Happy  shalt  thou  be,  and  it  shall  be  well  with  thee  ! 

3  Thy  wife  shall  be  as  a  fruitful  vine,  within  thy  house ; 
Thy  children  like  olive  plants,  round  about  thy  table. 

4  Behold,  that  thus  shall  the  man  be  blessed 
That  feareth  the  LORD. 

5  The  LORD  shall  bless  thee  out  of  Zion, 

And  thou  shalt  see  the  good  of  Jerusalem  all  the  days  of 
thy  life. 

6  Yea,  thou  shalt  see  thy  children's  children. 
Peace  be  upon  Israel ! 

56.  PART  OF  PSALM  CXXIX. 

God's  help  so  often  experienced  by  Israel  in  times  of  oppression, 
A  Pilgrim  Song. 

1  Much  have  they  afflicted  me  from  my  youth  up, 
May  Israel  now  say  ; 

2  Much  have  they  afflicted  me  from  my  youth  up, 
Yet  they  have  not  prevailed  against  me. 

3  The  plowers  plowed  upon  my  back ; 
They  made  long  their  furrows. 


64  THE  PSALMS. 


4  But  the  LORD  is  righteous ; 

He  hath  cut  asunder  the  cords  of  the  wicked. 

5  They  must  be  ashamed  and  turn  back, 
All  who  hate  Zion. 

57.  PSALM  CXXX. 

Prayer  for  forgiveness,  and  expression  of  confidence  in  Qod. 
A  Pilgrim  Song. 

1  Out  of  the  depths  do  I  call  unto  thee,  O  LORD  I 

2  O  Lord !  listen  to  my  voice. 
Let  thine  ears  be  attentive 

To  the  voice  of  my  supplications  ! 

3  If  thou,  LORD,  shouldst  mark  iniquities, 
O  Lord  !  who  could  stand? 

4  But  there  is  forgiveness  with  thee, 
That  thou  mayst  be  feared. 

5  I  hope  for  the  LORD,  my  soul  doth  hope, 
And  for  his  word  do  I  wait. 

6  My  soul  waiteth  for  the  Lord , 

More  than  they  who  watch  for  the  morning ; 
Yea,  more  than  they  who  watch  for  the  morning ! 

7  O  Israel,  wait  for  the  LORD  ! 
For  with  the  LORD  is  mercy, 

And  with  him  is  plenteous  redemption. 

8  He  will  redeem  Israel 
From  all  his  iniquities. 

58.  PSALM CXXXI. 

Childlike  resignation  to  Qod. 
A  Pilgrim  Song  by  David. 

1  0  LORD  !  my  heart  is  not  haughty,  nor  mine  eyes  lofty ; 
Neither  do  I  exercise  myself  in  great  matters, 
Or  in  things  too  wonderful  for  me  ! 


THE  P8ALM8,  65 


2  Verily  I  have  stilled  and  quieted  my  soul ; 
Like  a  weaned  child  with  his  mother, 

My  soul  is  with  me  like  a  weaned  child. 

3  O  Israel !  wait  for  the  LORD 

From  this  time  forth  and  forever  more ! 


59.  PSALM  CXXXIIL 

Praise  of  brotherly  love  and  harmony* 
A  Pilgrim's  Song,  by  David. 

1  Behold,  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is 
For  brethren  to  dwell  together  in  unity ! 

2  It  is  like  the  precious  oil  upon  the  head, 
That  ran  down  upon  the  beard, 

Even  Aaron's  beard, 

That  came  down  to  the  border  of  his  garments ; 

3  Like  the  dew  of  Herinon, 

Like  that  which  cometh  down  upon  the  mountains  of  Zion: 
For  there  the  LORD  commanded  the  blessing, 
Even  life  for  evermore. 

60.  PART  OF  PSALM  CXXXVII. 

Sad  recollections  of  the  time  of  the  Babylonian  Captivity. 

1  By  the  rivers  of  Babylon, 
There  we  sat  down,  yea,  we  wept, 
When  we  remembered  Zion. 

2  Upon  the  willows  in  the  midst  thereof 
We  hanged  up  our  harps. 

3  For  there  they  who  led  us  captive  required  of  us  songs, 
They  who  wasted  us  [required  of  us]  mirth  : 

uSing  us  one  of  the  songs  of  Zion !" 

4  How  shall  we  sing  the  LORD'S  song 
In  a  strange  land? 


66  THE  PSALMS. 


5  If  I  forget  thee,  O  Jerusalem, 

Let  my  right  hand  forget  [her  cunning] ! 

6  Let  my  tongue  cleave  to  the  roof  of  my  mouth, 
If  I  remember  thee  not ; 

If  I  prefer  not  Jerusalem 
Above  my  chief  joy  ! 

61.  PART  OF  PSALM  CXXXIX. 

Vs.   1-12,  23-24. 

God's  Omniscience  and  Omnipresence. 
A  Psalm  of  David. 

1  O  LORD  !  thou  searchest  me,  and  knowesi  me ! 

2  Thou  knowest  my  sitting  down  and  my  rising  up, 
Thou  understandest  my  thought  afar  off. 

3  Thou  seest  my  path  and  my  lying- down, 
And  art  acquainted  with  all  my  ways. 

4  For  before  the  word  is  upon  my  tongue, 
Behold,  O  LORD  !  thou  knowest  it  altogether ! 

5  Thou  besettest  me  behind  and  before, 
And  layest  thy  hand  upon  me. 

6  Such  knowledge  is  too  wonderful  for  me ; 
It  is  high,  I  can  not  attain  unto  it ! 

7  Whither  shall  I  go  from  thy  spirit? 

Or  whither  shall  I  flee  from  thy  presence? 

8  If  I  ascend  up  into  heaven,  thou  art  there  ! 

If  I  make  my  bed  in  the  underworld,  behold  thou  art  there  I 

9  If  I  take  the  wings  of  the  morning, 

And  dwell  in  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  sea ; 

10  Even  there  shall  thj'  hand  lead  me, 
And  thy  right  hand  shall  hold  me ! 

11  If  I  say,  "  Surely  the  darkness  shall  cover  me," 
Even  the  night  shall  be  light  about  me. 

12  Yea,  the  darkness  hideth  not  from  thee, 


THE  PSALMS.  67 


But  the  night  shineth  as  the  day  ; 
The  darkness  and  the  light  are  both  alike  to  thee. 
»#***** 

13  Search  me,  O  God,  and  know  my  heart ; 
Try  me,  and  know  my  thoughts  : 

14  And  see  if  the  way  of  trouble  be  within  me, 
And  lead  me  in  the  way  everlasting ! 

62.  PSALMCXLV. 

Hymn  in  praise  of  the  Almighty  God  for  His  righteous  and  merciful  gov- 
ernment and  His  all-bountiful  providence  * 
A  Psalm  of  Praise,  by  David. 

1  I  will  extol  thee,  my  God,  O  King  ! 

I  will  bless  thy  name  for  ever  and  ever  ! 

2  Every  day  will  I  bless  thee ; 

And  praise  thy  name  for  ever  and  ever  ! 

3  Great  is  the  LORD,  and  highly  to  be  praised ; 
Yea,  his  greatness  is  unsearchable. 

4  One  generation  shall  laud  thy  works  to  another, 
And  shall  declare  thy  mighty  deeds. 

6  I  will  speak  of  the  glorious  honor  of  thy  majesty, 
And  of  thy  wondrous  works. 

6  Men  shall  speak  of  the  might  of  thy  terrible  deeds, 
And  1  will  declare  thy  greatness. 

7  They  shall  pour  forth  the  praise  of  thy  great  goodness , 
And  sing  of  thy  righteousness. 

8  The  LORD  is  gracious,  and  full  of  compassion ; 
Slow  to  anger,  and  great  in  mercy. 

9  The  LORD  is  good  to  all, 

And  his  tender  mercies  are  over  all  his  works. 
10  All  thy  works  praise  thee,  O  LORD  ! 
And  thy  pious  servants  do  blecs  thee. 


*In  the  original,  this  psalm  is  an  acrostic  ;  the  successive  verses  beginning  with 
the  successive  letters  of  the  Hebrew  alphabet. 


68  THE  PSALMS. 

11  They  speak  of  the  glory  of  thy  kingdom, 
And  talk  of  thy  power. 

12  To  make  known  to  the  sons  of  men  his  mighty  deeds, 
And  the  glorious  majesty  of  his  kingdom. 

13  Thy  kingdom  is  an  ever  lasting  kingdom, 

And  thy  dominion  endureth  throughout  all  generations  ! 

14  The  LORD  upholdeth  all  that  fall, 

And  raiseth  up  all  those  that  he  bowed  down. 

15  The  eyes  of  all  wait  upon  thee ; 

And  thou  givest  them  their  food  in  due  season. 

16  Thou  openest  thine  hand, 

And  satisfiest  the  desire  of  every  living  being. 

17  The  LORD  is  righteous  in  all  his  ways, 
And  gracious  in  all  his  works. 

18  The  LORD  is  nigh  unto  all  them  that  call  upon  him, 
To  all  that  call  upon  him  in  truth, 

19  He  will  fulfill  the  desire  of  them  that  fear  him ; 
He  also  will  hear  their  cry,  and  will  save  them . 

20  The  LORD  preserveth  all  them  that  love  him ; 
But  all  the  wicked  will  he  destroy. 

21  My  mouth  shall  speak  the  praise  of  the  LORD  ; 

And  let  all  flesh  bless  his  holy  name  for  ever  and  ever  ! 

63.  PSALM  CXLVL 

Exhortation  to  confidence  in  God  alone,  who  is  the  creator  of  the  universe, 
the  protector  of  the  defenseless,  and  the  eternal  ruler. 

1  Hallelujah! 

Praise  the  LORD,  O  my  soul ! 

2  While  I  live  will  I  praise  the  LORD  ; 

I  will  sing  praises  unto  my  God  while  I  have  my  being. 

3  Put  not  your  trust  in  princes, 

Nor  in  the  son  of  man,  in  whom  there  is  no  help. 

4  His  breath  goeth  forth,  he  returneth  to  his  earth ; 
In  that  very  day  his  plans  perish. 


THE  PSALMS. 


5  Happy  is  he  that  hath  the  God  of  Jacob  for  his  help, 
Whose  hope  is  in  the  LORD  his  God  : 

6  Who  made  heaven  and  earth, 
The  sea,  and  all  that  is  therein ; 
Who  keepeth  truth  for  ever : 

7  Who  executeth  judgment  for  the  oppressed ; 
Who  giveth  food  to  the  hungry : 

The  LORD  setteth  free  the  prisoners ; 

8  The  LORD  openeth  the  eyes  of  the  blind ; 

The  LORD  raiseth  up  them  that  are  bowed  down  ; 
The  LORD  loveth  the  righteous ; 

9  The  Lord  preserveth  the  strangers ; 

He  upholdeth  the  fatherless  and  widow ; 

But  the  way  of  the  wicked  he  maketh  crooked. 

10  The  LORD  shall  reign  for  ever, 

Thy  God,  O  Zion,  unto  all  generations ! 
Hallelujah ! 

64.  PSALM  CXLVII. 

Praising  God,  the  Lord  of  nature,  the  upholder  of  all  creatures,  and  es- 
pecially the  protector  and  benefactor  of  Israel. 

1  Hallelujah! 

For  it  is  good  to  sing  praises  unto  our  God ; 
For  it  is  pleasant,  and  praise  is  becoming. 

2  The  LORD  buildeth  up  Jerusalem ; 

He  gathereth  together  the  dispersed  of  Israel. 

3  He  healeth  the  broken  in  heart, 
And  bindeth  up  their  wounds. 

4  He  counteth  the  number  of  the  stars ; 
He  calleth  them  all  by  names. 

5  Great  is  our  Lord ,  and  mighty  in  power ; 
His  understanding  is  infinite. 

6  The  LORD  upholdeth  the  meek ; 

He  bringeth  the  wicked  down  to  the  ground. 


70  THE  PSALMS. 

7  Sing  unto  the  LORD  with  thanksgiving ; 
Sing  praises  upon  the  harp  unto  our  God  ! 

8  Who  covereth  the  heaven  with  clouds, 
Who  prepareth  rain  for  the  earth, 

Who  maketh  grass  to  grow  upon  the  mountaina 

9  He  giveth  to  the  beast  its  food, 
And  to  the  young  ravens,  which  cry. 

10  He  delighteth  not  in  the  strength  of  the  horse, 
He  taketh  no  pleasure  in  the  legs  of  a  man. 

11  The  LORD  taketh  pleasure  in  them  that  fear  him, 
In  those  that  hope  in  his  mercy. 

12  Praise  the  LORD,  O  Jerusalem ! 
Praise  thy  God,  O  Zion  I 

13  For  he  hath  strengthened  the  bars  of  thy  gates ; 
He  hath  blessed  thy  children  within  thee. 

14  He  maketh  peace  in  thy  borders ; 

He  satisfieth  thee  with  the  finest  of  the  wheat. 

15  He  sendeth  forth  his  command  to  the  earth ; 
His  word  runneth  very  swiftly. 

16  He  giveth  snow  like  wool ; 

He  scattereth  the  hoar-frost  like  ashes. 

17  He  casteth  forth  his  ice  like  morsels ; 
Who  can  stand  before  his  cold  ? 

18  He  sendeth  out  his  word,  and  melteth  them ; 
He  causes  his  wind  to  blow,  and  the  waters  flow. 

19  He  proclaimeth  his  word  to  Jacob, 

His  statutes  and  his  ordinances  to  Israel. 

20  He  hath  not  dealt  so  with  any  other  nation ; 

And  as  for  his  ordinances,  they  have  not  known  them. 
Hallelujah ! 

65.  PSALM  CXLVIIL 

All  heavenly  and  earthly  creatures,  especially  all  human  beings,  are  called 

upon  to  praise  Ood, 
1  Hallelujah ! 

Praise  ye  the  LORD  from  the  heavens  I 


THE  PSALMS.  71 


Praise  him  in  the  heights  ! 

2  Praise  ye  him,  all  his  angels  ! 
Praise  ye  him,  all  his  hosts  ! 

3  Praise  ye  him,  sun  and  moon  I 
Praise  him,  all  ye  stars  of  light ! 

4  Praise  him,  ye  heavens  of  heavens ! 

And  ye  waters  that  are  above  the  heavens  ! 

5  Let  them  praise  the  name  of  the  LORD  ; 
For  he  commanded,  and  they  were  created. 

6  He  hath  also  established  them  for  ever  and  ever ; 

He  hath  given  them  a  law  which  shall  not  pass  away. 

7  Praise  the  LORD  from  the  earth, 
Ye  sea-monsters,  and  all  deeps  ! 

8  Fire  and  hail,  snow  and  vapor ; 

Thou  stormy  wind,  that  fulfillest  his  word  ! 

9  Yea,  mountains,  and  all  hills  ! 
Fruit  trees,  and  all  cedars  ! 

10  Ye  wild  beasts,  and  all  cattle ! 

Ye  creeping  things,  and  winged  birds  I 

11  Ye  kings  of  the  earth,  and  all  peoples, 
Princes  and  all  judges  of  the  earth  ! 

12  Both  young  men  and  maidens ; 
Old  men  and  children ! 

13  Let  them  praise  the  name  of  the  LORD, 
For  his  name  alone  is  exalted ; 

His  glory  is  above  the  earth  and  heavens ; 

14  He  exalteth  the  horn  of  his  people, 
The  praise,  of  all  his  pious  servants, 

Even  of  the  children  of  Israel,  a  people  near  unto  him. 
Hallelujah ! 

66.  PSALM  CL. 

Exhortation  to  praise  Ood  with  all  kinds  of  inMtrumenti . 
1  Hallelujah! 

Praise  God  in  his  sanctuary  1 


72  THE  £SALMS. 


Praise  him  in  his  glorious  firmament ! 

2  Praise  him  for  his  mighty  deeds ! 

Praise  him  according  to  his  excellent  greatness  ! 

3  Praise  him  with  the  sound  of  the  trumpet ! 
Praise  him  with  the  psaltry  and  harp  ! 

4  Praise  him  with  the  timbrel  and  dance  ! 

Praise  him  with  stringed  instruments  and  the  pipe ! 

5  Praise  him  upon  the  loud  cymbals  ! 

Praise  him  upon  the  high-sounding  cymbals  ! 

6  Let  everything  that  hath  breath  praise  the  Lord  ! 
Hallelujah ! 


The  End. 


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